Pro-Palestine protesters explain why boycotting Eurovision matters
‘WE used to have small parties me and my partner. Particularly the older Eurovision contests with all the quirky acts, you’d be laughing along with them.”
For Gerry Coutts, a member of the Scottish Friends of Palestine, the Eurovision Song Contest used to be something joyous, an occasion to get together with friends and take in what is supposed to be a celebration of inclusion and diversity.
This year however, he’ll be among the many fans boycotting the event over Israel’s inclusion in the competition despite the ongoing bombardment of Gaza.
The National spoke to a number of activists who will be boycotting this weekend’s event on why what they’re doing matters, what the impact could be on the contest in the future, and the “hypocrisy” of organisers.
Why DOES boycotting Eurovision matter? ‘Hypocrisy’ of Eurovision organisers
THE European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has so far defended Israel’s inclusion in the event, with its director general Jean Philip De Tender telling Sky News: “We do understand the concerns and deeply held views around the war in the Middle East.
“The song contest is a music event organised and co-produced by 37 public broadcasters, it’s not a competition between nations due to consistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service media values”.
Junnor however added: “The hypocrisy of denying Russia access when they’re waging war in Ukraine is blatant and deeply offensive to those who believe in equal rights.”
Will boycotting Eurovision make an impact?
FOR Eurovision expert Dr Paul Jordan, who published his PhD on the competition and has worked behind the scenes, boycotting isn’t necessarily going to have an impact.
“I understand feelings are high on both sides but the contest is going ahead anyway,” he said.
“No country has withdrawn. People are boycotting and not watching but I don’t know how effective that’s going to be. Israel is still in the competition. I feel it’ll probably be ineffective but understand why people want to do something.”
Junnor disagrees however, saying that it must be known that allowing Israel’s participation would simply be “normalising their relationship in the world”.