Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is one of the hottest music-political potatoes in the world right now, just under a month before the event in Austria.
In December, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia pulled out of this year’s contest in protest at Israel not being excluded because of the war in Gaza – and also arguments about last year’s public voting.
Iceland subsequently joined them, while Spain’s public broadcaster has decided not to even televise this year’s contest.
However, the Eurovision organisers have stuck to their line that the event is non-political and neutral: a “celebration of music and unity” from which Israel will not be banned.
Now a group of more than 1,000 artists, actors and entertainment-industry figures have backed that stance in an open letter from Creative Community for Peace, an organisation that focuses on combating anti-semitism and also battling cultural boycotts of Israel.
Musicians signing the letter include Dianne Warren, Gene Simmons and Boy George, while music-industry figures include Jody Gerson, Harvey Mason Jr, Scooter Braun, Sharon Osbourne, Dan Rosen, Troy Carter and Bruce Resnikoff.
Gaza, as well as recent actions in Iran and Lebanon, will continue to spark criticism of Israel’s government and military forces from other musicians in the coming weeks.
The Strokes closed their set at the Coachella festival this weekend with video footage attacking the US and Israeli administrations, for example. As Eurovision draws nearer, criticism of Israel’s participation, as well as defences of it, will only get louder.
