Over 1,100 Artists Sign Manifesto Demanding Israel’s Exclusion from Eurovision

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is facing mounting pressure ahead of the next Eurovision Song Contest. According to Europa Press, a group of over 1,100 music industry professionals has signed a manifesto calling for the Israeli public broadcaster (KAN) to be banned from the competition.

Organized by the platform "Music for Genocide," the group argues that the EBU is being inconsistent. They point to the decision to exclude Russia from the 2022 contest, questioning why Israel is still permitted to participate despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.

The manifesto is backed by high-profile international artists, including Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Sigur Rós, Idles, Primal Scream, Hot Chip, Erika de Casier, Macklemore, and Kneecap. A number of Spanish artists, including Blanca Paloma and Rapsusklei, have also joined the call.

The core of the protest is a perceived double standard. The signatories argue that while Russia was banned to protect the festival’s reputation, the EBU’s current stance ignores serious accusations of ethnic cleansing and territorial occupation. The letter suggests that participating in the 70th edition of the contest, set to be held in Austria, is ethically incompatible with the severity of the current humanitarian crisis.

The movement also highlights the decisions of public broadcasters in countries like Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands, which have distanced themselves from the event on principle. They also point to finalists who have refused to attend as a form of protest.

This situation underscores the growing tension between Eurovision’s long-standing policy of political neutrality and the demands of many artists who want the organization to take a firmer stance on international conflicts.