Eurovision representatives call for a ceasefire

In a joint statement released on social media, Eurovision representatives from 10 countries stated that they feel uncomfortable remaining silent regarding the situation in "the occupied Palestinian territories and especially in Gaza."

The artists, who stated, "For us, it is very important to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and to convey our sincere wishes for peace, an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, and the release of all hostages," emphasized that they oppose all forms of hatred, including Islamophobia and antisemitism.

Pointing to the universal unifying power of music, the statement was signed by Mustii from Belgium, Iolanda from Portugal, Olly Alexander from the UK, Bambie Thug from Ireland, Nemo from Switzerland, Gate from Norway, SABA from Denmark, Silvester Belt from Lithuania, Windows95Man from Finland, and Megara from San Marino.

CALLS FOR ISRAEL TO BE BANNED FROM THE CONTEST

Calls have been made from many countries across Europe for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Malmö, Sweden, on May 11.

Moroccan-born Canadian singer La Zarra, who represented France in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, called for Israel to be banned from the song contest on January 10, stating, "Unfortunately, we are once again facing a massacre against the Palestinian people, genocide, and attacks in the West Bank and Lebanon."

On January 10, 1,000 people in Sweden, including artists and music industry officials, collected signatures demanding that "Israel be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest." The artists demanded that Sweden withdraw from the competition if Israel's participation is not prevented.

The left-wing Podemos Party, which provides external support to Spain's minority left-wing coalition government, also demanded in a statement on January 1 that Israel be expelled from the Eurovision Song Contest due to its indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Gaza.

In Iceland, the musicians' association also called on the national broadcaster RUV in December 2023 to withdraw from the 2024 Eurovision contest. The Icelandic Society of Authors and Composers (FTT) had demanded that RUV "take a stand against the killing of innocent children and civilians and against war." Recalling that Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, the FTT had requested a boycott of the 2024 Eurovision if Israel were to participate.

ISRAEL HAD CHANGED THE NAME AND LYRICS OF ITS SONG

While calls for Israel to be banned from Eurovision continued, the song "October Rain," with which Israel planned to enter the contest and which referenced Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack, was rejected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on the grounds that it contained political messages.

Following this, although Israel made changes to the song and renamed it "Dance Forever," this version was also turned down for the same reason. Finally, Israel announced that it would participate in the contest with the song "Hurricane."