Eurovision: an edition more political than ever

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Since Friday, May 15, demonstrators have gathered at the gates of the competition to protest against Israel’s participation. “They also excluded Russia. They didn’t let it participate because of the war. That’s why I don’t understand why Israel isn’t excluded too, especially with the genocide.”indicates a young woman.

A protest which has already been heard on the stage of the competition during the qualification of the Hebrew state in the semi-final. If several organizations have called for the exclusion of Israel since the military offensive in the Gaza Strip, five countries have decided for the first time this year to boycott the event. Spain, Ireland and Slovenia do not participate in or broadcast the competition. The Netherlands and Iceland will broadcast but without sending candidates. “It’s a question of consistency, responsibility and humanity. This year will be different. Yes, we will not be in Vienna, but we will do so with the conviction of being on the right side of history.”declared Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

This competition is supposed to be apolitical, but many countries, including Israel, are making it an image issue. Last year, to participate, their candidate had to modify the text of her song, considered too political on the massacres of October 7. Faced with criticism, the Israeli Minister for the Diaspora is concerned about what he describes as a strong increase in anti-Semitic speech. Israeli authorities have called for increased security for these citizens who came to attend the competition. Several events, particularly sporting events, have already been interrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The last Tour of Spain was, for example, disrupted almost daily.