Eurovision Song Contest: Former Entrants Call on Organizers to Ban Israel and Broadcaster Kan

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Over seventy ex-participants of the Eurovision Song Contest are said to have penned a public appeal asking the event’s administrators to exclude Israel and its television network, Kan, from this year’s event.

In a letter penned to the European Broadcasting Union, individuals including British musician Mae Muller, Ireland’s 1994 victor Charlie McGettigan, and Portuguese singer Fernando Tordo advocated for Israel’s exclusion due to alleged human rights abuses. Specifically, they cited Israel’s actions as “genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza” and a “military occupation and apartheid regime spanning several decades” that affects the entire Palestinian population.

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In a letter sent to the European Broadcasting Union, figures like British musician Mae Muller, Irish winner from 1994 Charlie McGettigan, and Portuguese singer Fernando Tordo urged Israel’s expulsion. They claimed this was necessary in light of Israel’s actions being described as “genocide against Palestinians in Gaza” and a longstanding “occupation and apartheid regime” that has impacted the Palestinian people for decades.

The letter discusses the prolonged conflict in the area which, as reported by the health ministry of Gaza under Hamas leadership, has thus far resulted in more than 50,000 casualties. Prolonged disputes reached a boiling point when Hamas militants initiated an armed attack on an Israeli music festival on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities.

Last year’s Eurovision Song Contest, hosted in Sweden, was marred by intense debate due to Israel’s ongoing airstrikes on Gaza. This situation reportedly made the contest the most politically charged, disorderly, and disagreeable in the history of the competition.

In the 2024 competition, after several disagreements and controversy among delegates and spectators, Israel’s Eden Golan placed fifth. A petition with approximately 56,000 signatures was circulated demanding Israel’s exclusion that year, while also, Iceland’s Composers and Lyricists Association, along with 1,400 professionals from the European music industry, advocated for Golan’s disqualification.

On May 17, 2025, the much-loved and eccentric singing contest reaches its climax in Basel, Switzerland. It’s there that Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, plans to sing his song “New Day Will Rise”.

However, those who signed the document claim that broadcaster Kan is involved in supporting the conflict. Yet, Israel continues to assert that their actions do not constitute genocide. Ongoing legal proceedings regarding this matter are being held at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

1. “The EBU has shown it’s not afraid to enforce rules, as evident when they expelled Russia from the competition in 2022. We find it unfair that different standards seem to apply when it comes to Israel,” the letter states. Thea Garrett, a 2010 contestant representing Malta, added: “It’s not right to have one set of rules for Russia and another for Israel. If you cause harm, you should be disqualified.”

2. “The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has proven it can enforce its rules, as shown by expelling Russia from the competition in 2022. We believe this double standard regarding Israel is unacceptable,” the letter goes on. Thea Garrett, a former Maltese contestant from 2010, commented: “It’s unfair to have one rule for Russia and a different one for Israel. If you engage in harmful actions, you should face consequences.”

3. “In 2022, the EBU demonstrated its ability to enforce rules by expelling Russia from the competition. We find it inconsistent that different standards seem to apply when it comes to Israel,” the letter states. Thea Garrett, a past Maltese contestant from 2010, remarked: “It’s not fair to have one rule for Russia and another for Israel. If you act harmfully, you should be disqualified.”

4. “The EBU has shown it can take action when necessary, as demonstrated by expelling Russia from the competition in 2022. We find it unjust that different rules seem to apply when considering Israel,” the letter continues. Thea Garrett, a representative of Malta in 2010, added: “It’s wrong to have one set of rules for Russia and another for Israel. If you commit harmful actions, you should be removed from the competition.”

5. “In 2022, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) demonstrated its willingness to enforce its rules by expelling Russia from the competition. We find it unfair that different standards seem to apply when dealing with Israel,” the letter explains. Thea Garrett, a Maltese contestant in 2010, pointed out: “It’s not fair to have one rule for Russia and another for Israel. If you cause harm, you should face consequences.”

The performers expressed: “In our roles as vocalists, composers, instrumentalists, and others who have been honored to take part in Eurovision, we implore the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and all its affiliated stations to take immediate action to avoid any more damage to the festival’s reputation and interruptions: Israel should be barred from participating in Eurovision.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to the EBU and Kan for comment.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) might encounter another widespread protest. On a recent Tuesday, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Israeli musician Dudu Tassa had to cancel two shows in the U.K., as they were subjected to pro-Palestine boycotts and threats associated with demonstrations. In response, they stated, “Forcing venues to withdraw our concerts won’t bring about the peace and fairness that everyone in the Middle East deserves.

In other locations, the Irish rap group Kneecap, featured in the BAFTA-winning film “print the legend,” have also faced criticism. Recently at Coachella in the U.S., they incited the crowd to chant “Free Palestine” during their performance, and a call for the demise of Conservative Members of Parliament (Tory MPs) in the U.K. has added fuel to the controversy surrounding them. The band is now under investigation by British counter-terrorism police.

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2025-05-06 15:24