The organizers long strived to keep politics aside, but global tensions have often imposed themselves on the contest, and things are no different this year.
MALMÖ, Sweden — Behind the music, color and high camp, geopolitics has never been far from the surface at the Eurovision Song Contest, be it through subtly political lyrics, boycotts or the outright ban on Russia after it invaded Ukraine two years ago.
And as thousands of people flock to the coastal city for the event, large protests are taking place over Israel’s participation in the competition, including on Thursday, ahead of Israeli representative Eden Golan’s semi-final performance.
The decision by the contest’s organizer, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to ban Russia after it invaded Ukraine was something she agreed with, she said, adding that she thought it was hypocritical to let Israel compete while it waged war in Gaza.
While they did not demand a ban for Israel, artists from the U.K., Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, San Marino and Switzerland signed a joint statement calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, where almost 35,000 people have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Having initially balked at the idea, Israeli public broadcaster Kan, which manages the country’s entry, eventually amended the song, now called “Hurricane,” following an intervention from President Isaac Herzog.
Yair said some artists had tried to skirt the ban on overtly political statements by using more subtle elements in staging or costume, and he said he expected Israel would try in some way to commemorate Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on the country.
The original article contains 1,187 words, the summary contains 239 words. Saved 80%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
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MALMÖ, Sweden — Behind the music, color and high camp, geopolitics has never been far from the surface at the Eurovision Song Contest, be it through subtly political lyrics, boycotts or the outright ban on Russia after it invaded Ukraine two years ago.
And as thousands of people flock to the coastal city for the event, large protests are taking place over Israel’s participation in the competition, including on Thursday, ahead of Israeli representative Eden Golan’s semi-final performance.
The decision by the contest’s organizer, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to ban Russia after it invaded Ukraine was something she agreed with, she said, adding that she thought it was hypocritical to let Israel compete while it waged war in Gaza.
While they did not demand a ban for Israel, artists from the U.K., Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, San Marino and Switzerland signed a joint statement calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, where almost 35,000 people have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Having initially balked at the idea, Israeli public broadcaster Kan, which manages the country’s entry, eventually amended the song, now called “Hurricane,” following an intervention from President Isaac Herzog.
Yair said some artists had tried to skirt the ban on overtly political statements by using more subtle elements in staging or costume, and he said he expected Israel would try in some way to commemorate Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on the country.
The original article contains 1,187 words, the summary contains 239 words. Saved 80%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!