As Israel is cleared to compete, Eurovision’s future hangs in the balance
The European Broadcasting Union will allow Israel to compete at next year’s contest, a decision that has prompted four countries to boycott the event. Roisin O’Connor asks whether Eurovision can ever get back to the joyful celebration it once was
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By banning Russia in 2022, a precedent was set.
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Irish broadcaster RTE said taking part would be “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk”.
Spain’s culture minister, Ernest Urtasun, backed the boycott by national broadcaster RTVE, commenting: “You can’t whitewash Israel given the genocide in Gaza. Culture should be on the side of peace and justice. I’m proud of an RTVE that puts human rights before any economic interest.” It is safe to presume that other countries might follow suit.
