Eurovision‘s director Martin Green has addressed the competiton’s controversial decision to allow Israel to compete this year.
Green shared the letter today (Thursday December 11), beginning by acknowledging that “many of you will be feeling strong emotions at this time” – particularly around “events in the Middle East and how those realities connect to the Eurovision Song Contest”.
“No one can fail to be moved by what we have seen in the region in the past few years”, he added.
However, he cautioned fans who “want us to take a defined position on geo-political events”, explaining: “The only way the Eurovision Song Contest can continue to bring people together is by ensuring we are guided by our rules first and foremost”.
Green added that the EBU would ensure “all participating broadcasters respect the rules”, and “if they don’t you have a personal pledge from me, we will not tolerate it and call it out”.
Green went on to address fans of the countries who have since withdrawn from the competition. He wrote that the broadcasters “made a decision that was right for them and contributed to the debate with great dignity”. He added that “all of us here respect their position and decision”, and promise that the EBU would “continue to work with them as friends and colleagues in the hope they return to the Contest soon”.
“We are committed to doing everything we can so that, for another 70 years and beyond, the Eurovision Song Contest continues to be a place where friendships are forged, languages are learned and new genres and artists are discovered,” he concluded. “In a challenging world we can indeed be United by Music”.
Read the full statement below:
On December 4, members of the EBU decided that Israel would be allowed to participate in the annual singing contest. Eurovision will be held in Vienna on May 16 following singer JJ’s win his song ‘Wasted Love’.
It was confirmed that 65 per cent of delegates voted in favour of the rule change and no further discussion of Israel’s participation, while 23 per cent voted against and a further 10 per cent abstained. Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, said the country “deserves to be represented on every stage around the world” and he hopes “the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations, and cross-border cultural understanding.”
That same day, four countries dropped out the competition including Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain. Irish broadcaster RTÉ responded by saying (via The Guardian): “RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.”
Iceland also withdrew from the competition shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, 11 of the 16 entrants of Portugal’s song selection contest have stated they will refuse to perform if they win, putting the country’s participation at risk.
Meanwhile, the BBC said it would broadcast the contest next year, saying it supports “the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.” German broadcaster SWR has also confirmed it’ll be taking part.
The EBU also announced that there would be rule changes surrounding voting and promotion following concerns over Israel’s campaign last year. They placed second with performer Yuval Raphael, whose performance of ‘New Day Will Rise’ got a significant push in votes from the public after just garnering 60 votes from the various European juries.
Following new rule changes, fans will now have a decreased amount of votes, juries will be reintroduced to the semi-finals and there will be seven jurors total – two more than usual.
