Overview
- An open letter signed by more than 1,100 musicians and cultural figures urges broadcasters, performers, crews and fans to boycott this year’s contest until Israel’s public broadcaster KAN is removed.
- The campaign, organized as No Music For Genocide, argues the EBU is applying a double standard compared with Russia’s 2022 exclusion and says the contest helps normalize Israeli actions in Gaza.
- Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and Iceland have withdrawn in response to Israel’s inclusion, leaving 35 participating broadcasters in what AFP calls the most extensive boycott in Eurovision’s history.
- The EBU ruled on December 4 that Israel remains eligible and repeats that Eurovision is apolitical, while the 70th contest is set for May 16 in Vienna.
- Signatories include Peter Gabriel, Macklemore, Massive Attack, Sigur Rós, Roger Waters and former winners Emmelie de Forest and Charlie McGettigan, with recent protests also seeing Swiss singer Nemo return a 2024 trophy.