LONDON: A group of 72 former Eurovision contestants has called on the European Broadcasting Union to ban Israel and its national broadcaster, KAN, from this year’s song contest, citing the country’s war in Gaza.
In an open letter published Tuesday, the artists accused the EBU of “normalizing and whitewashing” alleged Israeli war crimes by allowing the country’s participation.
“By continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalizing and whitewashing its crimes,” the letter said, adding that the organization’s handling of last year’s contest in Sweden was “disastrous,” resulting in “the most politicized, chaotic and unpleasant edition in the competition’s history.
“Last year, we were appalled that the EBU allowed Israel to participate while it continued its genocide in Gaza broadcast live for the world to see,” it said.
“Rather than acknowledging the widespread criticism and reflecting on its own failures, the EBU responded by doubling down — granting total impunity to the Israeli delegation while repressing other artists and delegations.”
Among those signing the letter are the UK’s 2023 entrant Mae Muller, Ireland’s 1994 Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, Finnish singer Kaija Karkinen and Portuguese performer Fernando Tordo.
Controversy surrounding Israel’s participation has grown since last year, when the EBU resisted mounting pressure to ban the country despite its military campaign in Gaza.
Critics accused the EBU of double standards, citing Russia’s exclusion from the contest in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.
“Silence is not an option,” the letter said. “The EBU has already demonstrated that it is capable of taking measures, as in 2022, when it expelled Russia from the competition. We don’t accept this double standard regarding Israel.”
The appeal comes amid increasing scrutiny over Israel’s inclusion in this year’s contest, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland, from May 13-17.
Last week, the EBU lifted a ban on Palestinian flags in the audience, reversing a longstanding policy that prohibited symbols from non-competing countries or territories.
Officials in several countries — including Spain, Iceland and Slovenia — have also voiced objections. Slovenia publicly protested Israel’s inclusion earlier this month.
Despite growing criticism, the EBU has said that Israel’s entry complies with competition rules and will proceed as planned. Large-scale protests are expected during the event.
This year, Israel will be represented by Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack, performing a song titled “New Day Will Rise.”
