BBC must withdraw from Eurovision following ‘shameful’ Israel decision
The BBC has been urged to follow Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands in withdrawing from Eurovision following the decision to allow Israel to take part.
The vote was held at the European Broadcasting Union General Assembly following calls from the Spanish broadcaster RTVE to exclude Israel from the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.
Scottish Greens culture spokesperson, Patrick Harvie, said:
“This is a shameful decision and a dark day for the European Broadcasting Union.
“Once a symbol of unity and hope across Europe, they have turned the Eurovision Song Contest into a pink-washing front for war criminals in Israel.
“There can be no place for genocide enablers on the Eurovision stage, which is supposed to celebrate love and diversity.
“The atrocities inflicted against Palestinians in Gaza are among the worst crimes of this century and cannot be ignored and discarded in the name of entertainment.
“Russia and Belarus were rightly excluded following the illegal invasion of Ukraine. Why do the European broadcasters believe that Palestinian lives are worth less?
“With other countries withdrawing, the BBC should join the boycott and take a stand against Israel’s war crimes.”