Eurovision organizer slams ‘online abuse’ aimed at artists over Israeli inclusion
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
The European Broadcasting Union, the organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, issues a statement decrying threats directed at participants in this year’s competition linked to the ongoing war in Gaza and the decision to allow Israel to compete.
Jean Philip De Tender, the EBU’s deputy director, says in a statement that while “we understand that people will want to engage in debate and express their deeply held views” on the conflict, the EBU cannot accept “the targeted social media campaigns against some of our participating artists.”
De Tender stresses that the decision to include Israel “is the sole responsibility of the EBU’s governing bodies.” He says that while everyone has the right to express their opinion, “we firmly oppose any form of online abuse, hate speech, or harassment directed at our artists,” who have no role in the decision-making process.
Security is expected to be on high alert ahead of the contest in Malmo, Sweden, next month, as the EBU has faced months of protests and boycott campaigns to exclude Israel from the contest. Israeli entrant Eden Golan, who will be singing “Hurricane” at the competition, is expected to be accompanied by heavy Shin Bet security, and the National Security Council has warned Israelis attending the event not to flaunt their identity.
Some of the participants in this year’s competition have faced online campaigns calling on them to drop out over Israel’s inclusion. The EBU has even posted a full FAQ directly addressing Israel’s participation this year.
