Should the BBC boycott Eurovision?
The broadcaster has rejected calls from 50 British stars to cancel coverage of event
British cultural icons including Peter Gabriel and Vivienne Westwood are calling on the BBC to boycott the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest unless it is relocated from Israel.
The annual singing competition is due to be held in Tel Aviv in May, following Israeli singer Netta’s victory in 2018. It is customary for the winning country to host the following year’s competition.
But in a letter to The Guardian, 50 leading figures from the creative industry have urged the broadcaster to “press for Eurovision to be relocated to a country where crimes against freedom are not being committed”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The signatories also include Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, actor Julie Christie and filmmakers Mike Leigh and Ken Loach.
They wrote: “Eurovision may be light entertainment, but it is not exempt from human rights considerations - and we cannot ignore Israel’s systematic violation of Palestinian human rights.”
Eurovision organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) “chose Tel Aviv as the venue over occupied Jerusalem - but this does nothing to protect Palestinians from land theft, evictions, shootings, beatings and more by Israel’s security forces”, the letter continues.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “had wanted the contest to be staged in Jerusalem, but the nationality of the city is disputed, with Palestinians claiming an Israeli-occupied area as a potential future capital city”, reports the newspaper.
The plea to the British broadcaster comes as the UK prepares to select its entry for the contest in a public vote on BBC Two show Eurovision: You Decide on 8 February.
“For any artist of conscience, this would be a dubious honour,” the letter says. “They and the BBC should consider that You Decide is not a principle extended to the Palestinians, who cannot ‘decide’ to remove Israel’s military occupation and live free of apartheid.”
The BBC responded: “The Eurovision Song Contest is not a political event and does not endorse any political message or campaign. The competition has always supported the values of friendship, inclusion, tolerance and diversity, and we do not believe it would be appropriate to use the BBC’s participation for political reasons.
“Because of this we will be taking part in this year’s event. The host country is determined by the rules of the competition, not the BBC.”
The EBU also emphasised the “non-political character of the event” and pointed out that preparations in Tel Aviv were already “well advanced”.
The UK isn’t the only country where objections have been raised. Citizens in Portugal, Ireland, Iceland, Australia and Sweden have also called for Eurovision boycotts.
However, Ireland’s deputy prime minister Simon Coveney said last year that he did not believe a boycott would advance the Palestinian cause.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 27, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - natural gas, fundraising with Ted Cruz, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Aid to Ukraine: too little, too late?
Talking Point House of Representatives finally 'met the moment' but some say it came too late
By The Week UK Published
-
5 generously funny cartoons on the $60 billion foreign aid package
Cartoons Artists take on Republican opposition, aid to Ukraine, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Secret Army: the IRA propaganda film forgotten for almost 50 years
Why Everyone's Talking About 'Chilling' BBC documentary reveals how US TV crew documented the inner workings of paramilitary group in 1970s
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Eurovision stars weigh politics and principles as calls for boycott over Israel grow
Under The Radar One of the biggest artistic competitions on Earth finds itself in the middle of a widening debate about if — and how — to address the ongoing war in Gaza
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Is Eurovision finally cool?
feature Many British fans of Eurovision speak enthusiastically about its tolerance and openness
By The Week Staff Published
-
The most eccentric Eurovision performances of all time
In Depth From a turkey DJ to misfiring double entendres, the contest has never lacked for oddity
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Mae Muller: the UK’s ‘fresh-faced’ Eurovision contestant
Why Everyone’s Talking About The 25-year-old pop star has already toured with stars such as Little Mix
By Ellie Pink Published
-
Eurovision 2023: what you need to know about Liverpool extravaganza
In Depth This year’s hosts, current favourites and new voting rules
By Ellie Pink Last updated
-
Sport on TV guide: Christmas 2022 and New Year listings
Speed Read Enjoy a feast of sporting action with football, darts, rugby union, racing, NFL and NBA
By Mike Starling Published
-
Eurovision venue odds: the cities most likely to host the song contest
In Depth Glasgow is the frontrunner to host the famous competition
By The Week Published