Israel reaction to Eurovision broadcast from France: Boycott call on the agenda

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in the Austrian capital Vienna from May 12-16, has become the center of protests and boycott calls due to Israel's participation. A notable statement on the matter has come from France.

Thomas Portes, a member of parliament for the La France Insoumise (LFI) party, stated in a press briefing at the National Assembly that the contest is expected to reach approximately 160 million viewers worldwide this year. Arguing that Israel is violating international law and human rights in Palestinian territories and Gaza, Portes heavily criticized the country's invitation to the competition.

Portes remarked, "As Eurovision prepares to roll out the red carpet for the state and government of Israel, which is committing genocide, can it continue to be known as a competition where peace is discussed and brotherhood and solidarity among peoples are defended?"

Stating that Israel should not be in Eurovision, Portes drew attention to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the increasing settler policies in the West Bank. Portes also stated that he welcomed the decisions of Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland, and Ireland to boycott Eurovision for including Israel in the competition.

Portes also called on France's public broadcaster, France Télévisions, arguing that they should not broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest in order to "not whitewash the operations of a state committing genocide."

It is known that protests and calls for a boycott demanding Israel's removal from Eurovision have been increasing in many European countries in recent days. With only a few days left until the final, some countries, primarily Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, had withdrawn from the event citing Israel's participation as the reason.

News Source: 12punto