Close Menu
    BBC backs decision to let Israel compete in Eurovision
    United Kingdom

    BBC backs decision to let Israel compete in Eurovision

    Share.
    View 23 Comments

    23 Comments

    1. Sensitive_Echo5058 on

      “The BBC refused to comment on which way it had voted, but a spokesman said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”

      Sir Keir Starmer also appeared to back Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision. On Friday, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “More broadly Eurovision is a non-political celebration of music and culture and it brings countries together.”

      Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands are the countries that have withdrawn.

    2. Comfortable-Law-7147 on

      Spain is one of the 5 major funders of the song contest.

      So does that mean everyone else has to pay more?

    4. IrrelevantPiglet on

      Eurovision is, or at least was, meant to promote peace. It came about in the aftermath of WW2 to try and bring nations together again.

      When Russia invaded Ukraine, there was very little pushback against their expulsion from the contest and the EBU. Quite rightly.

      In light of that I seriously cannot fathom why the EBU continues to support IPBC’s membership. They are a state broadcaster, wholly tied into a government that continues to wage war. How is that congruent with Eurovision’s goal? How does this promote peace?

      I think I may be joining Ireland, Spain et al. next year and boycotting the whole thing. I’ve been a fan of the contest for years now but this is getting beyond just misguided, it is backward. The contest that promoted peace has become something else entirely now, and I don’t want any part of it.

    5. ODFoxtrotOscar on

      I’m quite happy with non-European countries occasionally participating

      But I don’t think any should have a permanent place

    8. Any-Swing-3518 on

      Well of course it does. The BBC wouldn’t want there to be another “scandal” now would it.

    9. InfinityEternity17 on

      Not surprised the BBC will defend Israel. They don’t exactly have the best track record in defending disgusting situations

    10. appletinicyclone on

      I think that’s fine. I think every other country in Europe should pull out so it’s just them versus Australia for the winner of the Eurovision song contest and make it the farce that it has become

    11. Kowai03 on

      How is it that a country that got zero points from the Australian jury, and only had like a 20% approval rating during the Australian rebroadcast, somehow get top scores from the Australian public vote during the live broadcast? This country cheats to try and make it look like everyone approves of them and their shitty war.

    12. gwent_shark on

      Eurovision is politically neutral now? I suppose Russia will be allowed back in then, I don’t see how it’s a different situation for them than it is for Israel.

    13. idontlikemondays321 on

      How about just having European countries enter? What with it being called Eurovision.

    16. thehighyellowmoon on

      Every argument in favour of this on the grounds of neutrality is invalid given that it was ok to ban Russia

    17. RisingDeadMan0 on

      i mean duh, the two resignations at the BBC only came after the backer of the anonymous group who bought the rag finally managed to push them out. their spin on IDF bullshit is insane, IDF says all hail, our lord and saviour has spoken, he tells no lies, let me spread his gospel of truth.

      and then we have BBC Verify who then get to pick apart their bullshit like the guns at the MRI machine that the IDF hand’t planted or fiddled with lol

    18. MR777 on

      The headline is misleading, there was no vote on their participation. Countries are boycotting due to lack of vote

    19. brainburger on

      Israel seemed about to win it last year. I think they had the highest phone vote. It was higher than for Switzerland who won overall.

    20. Common-Ad6470 on

      No doubt Israel are bank-rolling a big chunk of the show, so no Israel, no show…👌

    21. ankh87 on

      Let’s just can this pointless song competition. It’s always been political, so might as well just sack it off.

    22. NathanDavie on

      It’s wild how well Israel has done with promoting the conflation of criticism of their country and discrimination against all Jews.

      The Saudis should hire the Israelis to teach them how to whitewash their crimes.

    23. WetDogDeodourant on

      Does anyone know the freedom of the IPBC to publish on Gaza?

      How much are they a wing of Israeli government propaganda and how much space do we have to treat them as separate from the state?