Eurovision boycott 2019
Eurovision boycott 2019 is a call by the BDS movement to boycott Eurovision Song Contest 2019 if it is hosted by Israel. 140 international artists, among them 6 Israelis, urged a boycott of the Eurovision 2019.[1]
Background
In 2018, the 25-year-old Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won the 2018 Eurovision. The Israeli sports and culture minister Miri Regev demanded Israel host the contest in Jerusalem, which is a disputed city between Israel and Palestine.[2] Some artists claimed that this was an attempt by the Israeli government to achieve a political agenda through a musical event; others claimed that the boycott was due to allegations of apartheid Israeli policy against Arab minorities in Israel and the West Bank. [3]
Reaction
Australia
The Australian Greens party raised questions about a potential boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel. Senator Lee Rhiannon stated: “Recent events along the Gaza border have shown that the Israeli army engages in lethal military actions, on days that are seen as ‘significant’ or when Palestinian protests are planned,” she said. “This means Eurovision's activities could impact on who lives and who dies. Will SBS consider these factors when it considers whether to participate in next year’s contest, or if it’s held in 2020?” Michael Ebeid, the CEO of Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) stated, “Israel has won before, Israel has hosted before, and it is in the spirit of unity and bringing people together and cultures together, I can’t imagine that we would not televise Eurovision next year.”[4] Australia later confirmed their participation on 1 October 2018.
Iceland
Although Iceland confirmed provisional participation in the 2019 contest, 23,000 Icelanders signed a petition calling on the Icelandic national broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) to boycott the event.[5] Icelandic musician Daði Freyr stated that he would no longer participate in the Icelandic national selection Söngvakeppnin and called upon RÚV to boycott the event, tweeting "We can't imagine taking part in the fun that is Eurovision with a clear conscience while the Israeli state and their army use such terrible violence against the Palestinian people."[6] It was then announced that RÚV would hold a meeting to decide if they would boycott the event, following calls from Icelandic fans.[7] On 13 September 2018, Iceland confirmed participation in Eurovision 2019.
Ireland
Former Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál Mac Donncha, who is banned from entering Israel due to his support for the BDS movement, stated that Ireland should withdraw from the 2019 contest due to it taking place in Israel.[8] Sinn Féin MEP, Lynn Boylan, called for a boycott via Twitter; "Israel wins Eurovision so let's make BDS more successful than ever in 2019". MEP Nessa Childers stated "Jerusalem? The mind boggles. I thought Tel Aviv". Fellow Sinn Féin member Órla Nic Biorna also expressed her discontent. The Irish Alternative called for a boycott.[9] Irish Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan also called for RTÉ to boycott the event, stating "Look, we don’t agree with this, to celebrate while other people are dying."[10] Former Irish TV host Mike Murphy has also called for a boycott of the event.[11] Irish television show The Tonight Show aired a segment regarding Israel's right to host the contest. A panel of Irish celebrities, along with members of the public, spoke in favor of a boycott. [12] On 21 June 2018, sitting Tánaiste Simon Coveney stated that he did not believe a boycott would advance the Palestinian cause and rejected the idea of Ireland boycotting the 2019 contest on those grounds. Sinn Féin called on RTÉ to boycott the event.[13] On 16 August 2018, Ireland confirmed their participation in the 2019 edition. In October 2018, a group of Irish celebrities urged the national broadcaster to boycott Eurovision 2019 in protest over Israel's treatment of Palestine.[14]
Sweden
The Left Party of Malmö suggested that Eurovision should not take place in Israel, stating: "It's absolutely unreasonable for Israel to host this gigantic music contest while the occupation is in progress. We want Israel to be excluded from Eurovision on humanitarian grounds. We cannot continue dancing while the persecution of the Palestinian people continues. Boycott Israel now!"[15] Sweden confirmed participation in the 2019 contest, and competed in both the 1979 and 1999 contests.
United Kingdom
Some Liberal Democrat party supporters have called upon the party and the UK government to boycott the event, claiming their participation would condone "outrageous human rights violations".[16]
References
- ↑ "140 artists, 6 of them Israeli, urge boycott of Eurovision if hosted by Israel". Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- ↑ Sputnik. "Israel Should Not Host Eurovision If it Cannot Be Held in Jerusalem - Minister". sputniknews.com. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- ↑ Letters (2018-09-07). "Boycott Eurovision Song Contest hosted by Israel | Letters". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- ↑ "SBS CEO says Australia will televise Eurovision 2019…despite Green Party questions on potential boycott - Wiwibloggs". Wiwibloggs. 2018-05-29. Retrieved 2018-05-26.
- ↑ "Iceland: Daði Freyr Will Not Participate in 2019 Contest as Thousands Sign Petition For Eurovision Boycott - Eurovoix". Eurovoix. 2018-05-15. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
- ↑ "Daði Freyr on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
- ↑ "Iceland: RÚV Considers Withdrawing From Eurovision 2019 - Eurovoix". Eurovoix. 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
- ↑ Farren, Neil (13 May 2018). "Ireland: Dublin Lord Mayor Calls for Boycott of Eurovision 2019". Eurovoix. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ↑ "Ireland Alternative on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
- ↑ "Ireland: Eurovision Winner Charlie McGettigan Calls For RTÉ To Boycott Next Years Contest - Eurovoix". Eurovoix. 2018-05-16. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
- ↑ "Former Eurovision Winner Joins Calls For Ireland To Boycott Israel In 2019 | Scribd". Scribd. Archived from the original on 2018-07-21. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
- ↑ "The Tonight Show TV3 on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
- ↑ "Sinn Féin calls for Irish boycott of Eurovision in Israel". EuroVisionary. 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- ↑ "Irish celebrities call for boycott of Eurovision in Israel". Israel National News. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- ↑ Martinez, Banesa (13 May 2018). "Vänsterpartiet Malmö - Bojkotta Israel". vmalmo.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 14 May 2018.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
- ↑ "UK participation in Eurovision 2019 in Israel would condone "outrageous human rights violations"". Liberal Democrat Voice. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
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