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Open letter to the EBU: End Israel’s participation in Eurovision

For many of us, Eurovision is much more than music. It is history, it is memory, it is comfort. It is like that childhood best friend who has accompanied us through the years, never letting go of our hand.
We want to begin this letter by thanking Stuart MacLean for the brilliant documentary “Eurovision is Dying… It Can Only Blame Itself!”, an outstanding work, the result of rigorous and honest research, which in 39 minutes and 26 seconds presents us with reliable facts and a courageous reflection. It was this very documentary that inspired us to write this open letter to the EBU.
In 2022, Eurovision and the whole world were shaken by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to Russia’s ban from the contest and from several European and global competitions.
Israel has participated in Eurovision since 1973. But Israel occupies, oppresses, and kills. Not only since that date, but long before. It is estimated that since the occupation, around 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed.
We are a digital media outlet dedicated to Eurovision. We love this contest and the cultural diversity it represents. But we cannot, and we will not, stand by in the face of ethnic cleansing or genocide. Propaganda and manipulation of information will never come before our values and our ethics.
The producer Martin Green repeats, time and time again, that Eurovision’s purpose is to show the world how the world could be. But the harsh truth is this: the world could be many things that it simply is not. We can choose to face the reality before our eyes, or we can pretend it doesn’t exist. For us, it is evident that Martin Green and the EBU have chosen to live inside a utopian bubble, closing their eyes to what unfolds right in front of them.
But one thing is certain: you will not blindfold us. Because we live in the real world, not in that artificial world you decided to create, where only those who fit your narrative are allowed in. You may try to silence us, but our voice will remain firm, to praise when praise is due, and to call out when reason itself has failed you.
Even if you strip us of press accreditations,
as you have already done to colleagues whose work and careers deserve the utmost respect. We are not the media that fuels the illusion of the image you try to maintain of a contest you have already betrayed. We are the ones who show up to work; who are there to highlight what is good; to reveal reality; to give space to the artists and their stories, and not to promote ourselves.
That is why we want to express our full support for the broadcasters RTVSLO (Slovenia), RTÉ (Ireland), AVROTROS (Netherlands), RÚV (Iceland), and RTVE (Spain) for having the courage to no longer be complicit in this situation. For daring to show the world as it is, and not as it might be.
May all broadcasters follow this example, because you stand as a source of integrity for everyone who refuses to close their eyes when human rights are at stake.
“It is political, don’t fool yourself.”
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