Eurovision In CRISIS - Protecting Israel Causes MASS Boycott

Eurovision In CRISIS - Protecting Israel Causes MASS Boycott

Dec. 9, 2025

PALESTINIAN GENOCIDE - FOLLOW THE MONEY

Owen Jones

Samir Eskanda, said, Israel’s rulers use culture as a propaganda tool while waging war on the cultural life of Palestinian society. The best way to challenge the normalization of Israeli apartheid on every front, including the cultural one, is through boycotts, divestment, and sanctions.

Eurovision 2026 is facing its biggest political storm in decades as a growing number of broadcasters threaten to withdraw if Israel is allowed to compete.

While Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has called for RTVE to pull out if Israel is included, Ireland’s RTÉ was first to officially declare it would not take part, citing the “ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza,” the killing of journalists and restrictions on media access. The Netherlands’ AVROTROS followed on Friday, stating participation “will not be possible as long as Israel is admitted by the EBU [European Broadcasting Union],” arguing that the broadcaster’s values are incompatible with Israel’s conduct.

Israel has competed in two Eurovision contests, both held against a backdrop of protest. In Malmo in 2024, thousands gathered in the Swedish city in protest at Israel’s participation while in Basel earlier this year, protesters attempted to rush onto the stage to disrupt Israeli singer Yuval Raphael’s performance.

https://jacobin.com/author/samir-eskanda

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Original: https://youtu.be/oWgNC4zWa6c

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