Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland have announced they are set to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel takes part, according to multiple reports. The boycott stems from Israel's attack on Palestine, which has been declared a genocide by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided Israel would be allowed to take part in Eurovision, despite the controversy.
Boy George has defended himself after facing backlash over his involvement in Eurovision, according to Metro - Main. Boy George will represent San Marino, teaming up with Italian singer Senhit. He previously signed a letter of support for Israel's continued inclusion in Eurovision, along with Dame Helen Mirren, Mila Kunis, Gene Simmons and Sharon Osbourne.
I have many, many Jewish friends that I’ve had since I was 15 or 16 years old.
The open letter referenced the October 7 attacks, saying Israel was simply 'responding to the greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust'. According to the signatories, 1,195 people died in the attacks orchestrated by Hamas, including both Israelis and non-Israelis attending the Nova festival. Since October 2023, Israel's military action against Palestine has resulted in over 67,075 deaths, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The letter continued: 'This current round of fighting is not a war that Israel wanted or started. To punish Israel would be an inversion of justice.'
Irish broadcaster RTE pulled out of the competition, saying participation is unconscionable given the loss of lives in Gaza. In 2022, Russia was removed from Eurovision following the invasion of Ukraine.
Are people asking me as a principled human being to turn my back on my Jewish friends? It’s not going to happen, it’s never going to happen.
This year's Eurovision competition is held in Vienna, Austria. Look Mum No Computer is participating on behalf of the UK with the experimental track Eins, Zwei, Drei. It is the first time ever in the contest's 70-year run that the UK's song is not sung entirely in English, with the chorus sung in German.
From the beginning of my career, I wore a Jewish star. Go back and look at pictures of Culture Club. I am so affiliated with Jewish people.
The job of music is to unite people.
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.