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Conflict in the Middle East
Original poster

4 countries to boycott Eurovision due to Israel’s continued inclusion

670 replies

Everexpanding · 04/12/2025 19:18

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, the Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said it would also withdraw from next year’s contest. “After weighing all perspectives, Avrotros concludes that, under the current circumstances, participation cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organisation.”

The Slovenian national broadcaster, RTVSLO – the first to threaten a boycott this summer – said participation “would conflict with its values of peace, equality and respect”.

Spain’s culture minister, Ernest Urtasun, backed the decision, adding: “You can’t whitewash Israel given the genocide in Gaza. Culture should be on the side of peace and justice. I’m proud of an RTVE that puts human rights before any economic interest

RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/04/ireland-spain-and-the-netherlands-to-boycott-eurovision-2026-as-israel-cleared-to-compete

Four countries to boycott Eurovision 2026 as Israel cleared to compete

Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands pull out after decision not to hold vote on Israel’s participation

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/04/ireland-spain-and-the-netherlands-to-boycott-eurovision-2026-as-israel-cleared-to-compete

OP posts:
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21
Original poster
Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 12:39

I do not have an anti semitic bone in my body

OP posts:
Original poster
Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 12:38

I profoundly disagree, I believe never again applied to all peoples, I see nothing wrong with mentioning the banality of evil when discussing why people are on here daily justifying, minimising and deflecting from the current genocidal actions of Israel.

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SisterTeatime · 07/12/2025 12:32

Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 12:12

I got a post in which said this board makes me think of the banality of evil without referring to any individual poster deleted, that is all

Seriously, why not reflect on why that’s so offensive.

You can make your points without being deliberately rude and offensive.

Nobody is minimising or dismissing civilian deaths, nobody is posting in support of settler violence, nobody is deflecting from the subject at hand. Discussion isn’t deflection. There is no ‘merry crew’ here. There are people posting on good faith on both ‘sides’ if I can call it that, people who engage robustly but respectfully. People who post useful information that helps us all understand better.

when you use quotes like that you seriously damage the pro-Palestinian argument that it’s not antisemitism that motivates you, at least in part.

Original poster
Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 12:12

I got a post in which said this board makes me think of the banality of evil without referring to any individual poster deleted, that is all

OP posts:
SharonEllis · 07/12/2025 12:10

Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 12:07

Yes laughing when discussing civilian slaughter is not very tasteful,

Nobody is laughing at civilian slaughter, as anyone reading this can see. Just stop now. Its trivialising attempts at sensible discussion.

Original poster
Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 12:10

Feel free to sign up

OP posts:
SharonEllis · 07/12/2025 12:09

Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 12:01

Well you know nice to see that the citme board has proved such a source of amusement and bants for your merry crew

Actually, its a very dispiriting place. Not least because of your insistence that I have a 'crew'. Its only because its so ridiculous that I and others laugh. But your insinuation that there is some sort of organised attempt to push a pro-Israel narrative is actually deeply offensive. You'll note that I and others don't insinuate such a thing at those who disagree with me. And you might want to reflect on why you get so many posts deleted.

Original poster
Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 12:07

Yes laughing when discussing civilian slaughter is not very tasteful,

OP posts:
SisterTeatime · 07/12/2025 12:07

SisterTeatime · 07/12/2025 12:02

Not very tasteful, not even very apposite.

This was in reply to the recent post which has now been deleted.

Anyway, can I be an apprentice too?

SisterTeatime · 07/12/2025 12:02

Not very tasteful, not even very apposite.

Original poster
Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 12:01

Well you know nice to see that the citme board has proved such a source of amusement and bants for your merry crew

OP posts:
SharonEllis · 07/12/2025 11:59

This reply has been deleted

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Nice try.

Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 11:59

This reply has been deleted

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SharonEllis · 07/12/2025 11:57

@Everexpanding people can't expect to say laughable things and people not laugh.

dairydebris · 07/12/2025 11:56

Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 11:51

Banal actually, but to move on from the predicted jolly bants of the usual apologists Iceland will decide whether to boycott on Wednesday, a recent poll showed 60% of Icelanders in favour

Whats the point? We're all only going to minimize, whitewash and distract, then you'll accuse us of being evil, then we'll make light of this by reading back your own words, around and around and around. I guess you must enjoy it? I'm off for lunch. Xx

Original poster
Everexpanding · 07/12/2025 11:51

Banal actually, but to move on from the predicted jolly bants of the usual apologists Iceland will decide whether to boycott on Wednesday, a recent poll showed 60% of Icelanders in favour

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 07/12/2025 11:49

dairydebris · 07/12/2025 11:47

Its because you're evil, @Twiglets1.

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I know😉

dairydebris · 07/12/2025 11:47

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Its because you're evil, @Twiglets1.

Twiglets1 · 07/12/2025 11:45

This reply has been deleted

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SharonEllis · 07/12/2025 11:40

Twiglets1 · 07/12/2025 11:35

Haha I believe I am the one labelled "the apprentice".

Not sure whether to be offended or flattered 😂

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Its utterly bizarre but you MUST NOT LAUGH.

Twiglets1 · 07/12/2025 11:35

SharonEllis · 07/12/2025 10:46

Yes, I was confused because my accounts say its you. Something dodgy going on here!

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Haha I believe I am the one labelled "the apprentice".

Not sure whether to be offended or flattered 😂

dairydebris · 07/12/2025 11:32

Ellen2shoes · 07/12/2025 11:26

Sadly, the Israel defending replies on here do fall into a very predictable pattern:

  1. Start with accusations of anti semitism.
  2. Fill in with endless cut and paste whataboutery or any other means of deflection possible.
  3. Congregate to gaslight in a bizarre baiting in patronising tones about posters responding to ‘phantoms’ and ‘Imaginary’ posts.
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Indeed. If I kept doing something and it kept ending in the same way, which I didn't like, I might try a different way or disengage.

Ellen2shoes · 07/12/2025 11:26

dairydebris · 07/12/2025 10:05

Oh Ever, these threads are so predictable arent they? However you start them, you always end up arguing with a phantom and being furious with people for saying things they haven't said. It must be so frustrating for you.

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Sadly, the Israel defending replies on here do fall into a very predictable pattern:

  1. Start with accusations of anti semitism.
  2. Fill in with endless cut and paste whataboutery or any other means of deflection possible.
  3. Congregate to gaslight in a bizarre baiting in patronising tones about posters responding to ‘phantoms’ and ‘Imaginary’ posts.
SharonEllis · 07/12/2025 10:57

SameOldHill · 07/12/2025 10:56

So if you don’t think the UN should be listened to, does that mean you don’t agree with the partition of 1947?

Edited
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I'm going to leave you to ponder on why that's not the gotcha you think it is.

SameOldHill · 07/12/2025 10:56

SharonEllis · 07/12/2025 07:56

And just a reminder, when the UN is held up as some sort of neutral arbiter or moral force in this debate, that 96 of 164 (ie more than half) countries in the UN are authoritarian or hybrid regimes in this index. Remind me why we should listen to them?

Edited

So if you don’t think the UN should be listened to, does that mean you don’t agree with the partition of 1947?