{"id":5081,"date":"2025-05-06T16:21:44","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T16:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/?p=5081"},"modified":"2025-05-07T18:43:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T18:43:16","slug":"72-former-eurovision-contestants-call-for-israel-ban-including-uk-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/06\/72-former-eurovision-contestants-call-for-israel-ban-including-uk-act\/","title":{"rendered":"72 former Eurovision contestants call for Israel ban, including UK act"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"Israel's\t<\/div>
Dozens of former Eurovision contestants have signed an open letter to ban Israel from the competition (Picture: Reuters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former Eurovision<\/a> contestants have called on the competition to ban Israel<\/a> and its national broadcaster Kan from this year\u2019s contest.<\/p>\n

Among the 72 names who have signed the open letter are the UK<\/a>\u2019s 2023 entry Mae Muller, Ireland<\/a>\u2019s 1994 champion, Charlie McGettigan, and 2017 Portuguese winner, Salvador Sobral.<\/p>\n

They have demanded Israel\u2019s removal from the Eurovision 2025, accusing Kan of being \u2018complicit in Israel\u2019s genocide against the Palestinians<\/a> in Gaza<\/a> and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people.\u2019 Israel has rejected accusations of genocide.<\/p>\n

The open letter also accuses Eurovision organiser, the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU), of \u2018whitewashing and normalising [Israel\u2019s] crimes\u2019 by \u2018continuing to platform\u2019 the country and for a \u2018double-standard\u2019 after expelling Russia from the competition in 2022.<\/p>\n

It marks the latest point of tension in Eurovision’s ongoing challenge to reconcile cultural celebration with political reality<\/a>, following Switzerland<\/a>’s decision to ban artists from taking Pride flags on stage<\/a>. <\/p>\n

What does the open letter to Eurovision say?<\/h2>\n

The letter reads: ‘[We] urge all members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to demand the exclusion of Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster, from the Eurovision Song Contest. Kan is complicit in Israel\u2019s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people.<\/p>\n

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Last year, we were appalled that the EBU allowed Israel to participate while it continued its genocide in Gaza broadcast live for the world to see. The result was disastrous.<\/p>\n<p>‘As singers, songwriters, musicians and others who have had the privilege of participating in Eurovision, we urge the EBU and all its member broadcasters to act now and prevent further discredit and disruption to the festival: Israel must be excluded from Eurovision.’<\/p>\n<p>The full letter is available to read on the <a href=\"https:\/\/artistsforpalestine.org.uk\/2025\/05\/06\/former-eurovision-contestants-demand-exclusion-of-israel-from-contest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Artists for Palestine<\/a> website.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"434\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2152510890-0a86-e1746197399543.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23017231\" alt=\"Eden Golan performs at Eurovision 2024\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Last year’s competition was mired in controversy after the inclusion of Israel’s act, Eden Golan (Picture: Martin Sylvest Andersen\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"969\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2136574574.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23037051\" alt=\""ABBA Voyage" Celebrates The 50th Anniversary Of 'Waterloo' In London\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Former UK contestant Mae Muller was among the 72 signatories of the open letter (Picture: Alan Chapman\/Dave Benett\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What was Eurovision’s response?<\/h2>\n<p>Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said in a statement that Eurovision is a competition that \u2018promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u2018We all aspire to keep the Eurovision Song Contest positive and inclusive and aspire to show the world as it could be, rather than how it necessarily is,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u2018The EBU remains aligned with other international organisations that have similarly maintained their inclusive stance towards Israeli participants in major competitions at this time.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Israel’s national broadcaster, Kan, is a member of the EBU and this year has put forward as its entrant <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/05\/israels-2025-eurovision-act-yuval-raphael-singer-survived-october-7-attack-23026788\/\">Yuval Raphael<\/a>, who will perform the song New Day Will Rise.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"430\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_247828340-4fe1.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23028356\" alt=\"Israel's Eurovision 2025 representative and survivor of the October 7, 2023 attack, Yuval Raphael, attends a press conference after premiering her song 'New Day Will Rise' in Tel Aviv, Israel March 9, 2025. REUTERS\/Ronen Zvulun\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>24-year-old Yuval Raphael is representing Israel at Eurovision this year (Picture: REUTERS)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tFollow Metro on WhatsApp to be the first to get all the latest news\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"594\" height=\"256\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-1632181964-e1700130460337.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-19695292\" alt=\"Apps With More Than One Million Users\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Follow us to receive the latest news updates from Metro (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p>Metro’s on Whatsapp! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029Va7gy437oQhUmmYX9F2z\">Join our community<\/a> for breaking news and juicy stories.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Last year\u2019s singing competition faced similar controversy over the participation of Israeli contestant, Eden Golan, in the wake of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.<\/p>\n<p>At the time, the national broadcaster for Israel claimed its delegation faced \u2018an unprecedented display of hatred\u2019 from other countries and their entrants during the competition.<\/p>\n<p>During the week-long contest, pro-Palestinian protesters showed their support for Gaza and condemned Israel taking part in Eurovision, while Golan\u2019s performances throughout the week were <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/05\/08\/israels-eurovision-performance-drowned-boos-free-palestine-chants-20802588\/\">met with a mix of boos and cheers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tWho is Israel\u2019s 2025 Eurovision act Yuval Raphael?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<p>Yuval is a singer from Israel and a survivor of the October 7 Nova <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/festivals\/\">music festival<\/a> attack, which killed 378 people.<\/p>\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/hamas\/\">Hamas<\/a> terrorists<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/10\/09\/ravers-filmed-recording-goodbyes-to-loved-ones-as-they-hide-from-hamas-19630487\/\"> launched an ambush on attendees at the open-air music festival<\/a>, Raphael rushed to hide in a nearby kibbutz with 50 others. She was one of just 11 survivors, after being forced to hide under dead bodies for eight hours.<\/p>\n<p>Raphael has spoken previously about the shocking details of the attack. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018It had become the tomb for almost 40 souls seeking refuge with us,\u2019 she told the UN Human Rights Council in March last year.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The physical injuries I sustained are healing, but the mental scars will stay with me forever.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Nearly two years on, Yuval, who still has shrapnel lodged in her head and leg from October 7, has said she isn\u2019t daunted by the backlash to Israel\u2019s inclusion again this year.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I\u2019ve been given another chance at life, so it\u2019s my duty to not be afraid \u2013 and to spread the light. I see it as an honour and a responsibility. I love my country, I love the Israeli people,\u2019 she told the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-14675723\/Yuval-Raphael-survived-October-7-massacre-playing-dead-Israel-Eurovision-star.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Daily Mail<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The war began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.<\/p>\n<p>Israel\u2019s offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which has been historically considered reliable by organisations including the United Nations.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"485\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_203346383-5561.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23009601\" alt=\"MALMO, SWEDEN - MAY 09: Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place on May 11th, is being protested in Malmo, Sweden, where the event is being hosted on May 9, 2024. (Photo by Atila Altuntas\/Anadolu via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Pro-Palestine protestors gathered in host city Malm\u00f6 last year (Picture: Atila Altuntas\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Last week, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague opened proceedings on Israel\u2019s obligations to the United Nations (UN) in relation to its occupation of Palestinian territories, which is illegal under international law.<\/p>\n<p>The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will be taking place in <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/basel\/\">Basel<\/a>, Switzerland, with the grand final on May 17 and the semi-finals on May 13 and 15.<\/p>\n<p>It will be the first time the competition has been held in the German-speaking part of Switzerland after previously being hosted in Lugano in 1956 and Lausanne in 1989.<\/p>\n<p>Basel won over locations including Geneva and Zurich to secure the spot and even beat the country\u2019s capital city, Bern.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/03\/07\/eurovision-2025-uk-act-finally-confirmed-soaring-fame-voice-22678145\/\">Remember Monday have been confirmed as the UK\u2019s entry<\/a>, following in the footsteps of <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/olly-alexander\/\">Olly Alexander<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Swiss entry Nemo won Eurovision in 2024 with their song The Code, scoring 591 points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page – we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dozens of former Eurovision contestants have signed an open letter to ban Israel from the competition (Picture: Reuters) Former Eurovision contestants have called on the competition to ban Israel and<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/06\/72-former-eurovision-contestants-call-for-israel-ban-including-uk-act\/\" class=\"readmore\">Continue reading<svg class=\"icon icon-arrow-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\"> <use href=\"#icon-arrow-right\" xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-right\"><\/use> <\/svg><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">72 former Eurovision contestants call for Israel ban, including UK act<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5081"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5081"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5089,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5081\/revisions\/5089"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}