Artists and musicians in Sweden, Iceland and Finland had petitioned the European Broadcasting Union to exclude Israel over its atrocities in Gaza

Artists and musicians in Sweden, Iceland and Finland had petitioned the European Broadcasting Union to exclude Israel over its atrocities in Gaza

Israel can compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, organisers confirmed on Thursday, again rejecting calls for it to be excluded over the Gaza war like Russia was after invading Ukraine.

On Wednesday, a group of 400 celebrities including British actress Helen Mirren, British singer Boy George and former Kiss frontman Gene Simmons published an open letter supporting Eurovision’s decision to maintain Israel’s participation.

The letter was issued in response to petitions calling for Israel to be kicked out of the world’s biggest live music event, which is being held in Malmo, Sweden, in May.

Approached by AFP, the European Broadcasting Union said it had conducted a review and decided late last year that Israel could participate in the kitsch annual pop extravaganza.

“The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political music event and a competition between public service broadcasters who are members of the EBU. It is not a contest between governments,” EBU director general Noel Curran said, reiterating a statement made in January.

read more: https://www.newarab.com/news/eurovision-confirms-israel-can-compete

  • Jeena@jemmy.jeena.net
    703·
    10 months ago

    So what we learn is that as long as it’s an ally of the west doing the genocide, they are still welcome to have a big party with us.

    • WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world
      13·
      10 months ago

      Well, yeah… the Bush admin lied about WMD’s and led dozens of western democracies into Iraq because of it — Bush, and many members of the US gov/intelligence/military complex, should be in prison for war crimes.

      Not to mention that they had already stolen the 2000 election via corruption.

      Most of history was written by criminals. That’s why shit’s fucked yo!