BBC must join calls to exclude Israel from Eurovision Song Contest
The BBC must join international calls to exclude Israel from the world’s largest music competition, ‘Eurovision’, says Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie.
Broadcasters and artists have called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to take action to stop Israel competing in Eurovision.
The 2024 winner of the contest, Nemo, stated, “Israel’s actions are fundamentally at odds with the values that Eurovision claims to uphold — peace, unity, and respect for human rights.” “I support the call for Israel’s exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest.”
Irish broadcaster RTÉ has also called for Israel to be excluded, prompting the EBU to “hold discussions” about Israel’s future in the contest, but only after this year's contest in Basel, Switzerland.
Israel first competed in Eurovision in 1973 and is set to compete in the 2025 edition, with their competitor qualifying for the grand-final during Semi-Final two on Thursday evening.
Speaking ahead of the Eurovision grand final, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie said:
“Israeli forces have inflicted a genocide on the people of Gaza; there should be no illusion that Israel wants to use Eurovision to pinkwash their image and distract from the war crimes their government are committing in Gaza and the West Bank.
“Eurovision should be a uniting force for peace and love in Europe, but whilst war criminals are represented on the stage, that can’t happen. The EBU rightfully took action against Russia and Belarus; now, they must listen to broadcasters, artists, and fans.
“As one of the ‘big 5’ Eurovision broadcasters, the BBC must join neighbouring broadcasters in Ireland to call for the end of Israel’s pinkwashing.
“The continued acceptance of Israel onto the Eurovision stage is unacceptable, I am glad that the EBU have finally opened a channel with RTÉ to discuss this issue but it has taken far too long to get here. The BBC must stand against these atrocities and speak out now.”