Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Thread gallery
21
Stripes56 · 06/12/2025 07:20

SharonEllis · 06/12/2025 07:18

Looks like Dr Aladwan is exercising her democratic right to blame all Jews for Israeli actions again. Yes, definitely a compassionate person recognising the individual humanity of every Palestinian.

NHS doctor arrested again after posting anti-Jewish tweets share.google/sK4zyou9ZrCZr6kGL

Deflection

SharonEllis · 06/12/2025 07:18

Looks like Dr Aladwan is exercising her democratic right to blame all Jews for Israeli actions again. Yes, definitely a compassionate person recognising the individual humanity of every Palestinian.

NHS doctor arrested again after posting anti-Jewish tweets share.google/sK4zyou9ZrCZr6kGL

Stripes56 · 06/12/2025 07:12

SharonEllis · 06/12/2025 06:52

Its so funny, Israel's democracy is aleays a stick to beat them with, Russia and Hamas's totalitarianism one to excuse them.

Show quote history

Israeli’s democracy has understandably been used as a point of distinction over other countries in the ME on this board by those who support Israel.

But what about the fact concessions have had to be made to the voting system to avoid further fallout and division over Israel participation in Eurovision? It is convenient to think this is only about 4 countries boycotting Eurovision.

There has been an increase in antisemitism but that shouldn’t prevent criticism of Israel were justified.

Eurovision may be a singing competition, but it’s one that is politically charged and not just about entertainment.

SharonEllis · 06/12/2025 06:52

Stripes56 · 05/12/2025 22:02

My understanding is that there was a concession in the voting rules - due to concerns about campaigns influencing voting for Israel. This seems a platitude to me, and that if broadcasters are concerned about Israel’s alleged war crimes - Israel should not be allowed to participate.

I accept this is detrimental to ordinary Isrealis- but unlike Russia, they actually have a choice in the leaders they vote for.

Edited
Show quote history

Its so funny, Israel's democracy is aleays a stick to beat them with, Russia and Hamas's totalitarianism one to excuse them.

Workingwell · 06/12/2025 00:32

Why so does she accuse those peacefully protesting at these atrocities of being racists (who are stamping their feet and throwing their toys out of the pram, apparently)?

SisterTeatime · 05/12/2025 22:57

peepsypops · 05/12/2025 22:14

Ok. I must have been off that day. 🙄

Show quote history

Perhaps you were. Sharon has said it many times.

peepsypops · 05/12/2025 22:14

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 21:46

Obviously. As I have said many many times.

Show quote history

Ok. I must have been off that day. 🙄

Stripes56 · 05/12/2025 22:02

Workingwell · 05/12/2025 21:07

Stop trying to deflect (as always).

This thread is about the boycott of the Eurovision, which is not for anti-semitic reasons.

Show quote history

My understanding is that there was a concession in the voting rules - due to concerns about campaigns influencing voting for Israel. This seems a platitude to me, and that if broadcasters are concerned about Israel’s alleged war crimes - Israel should not be allowed to participate.

I accept this is detrimental to ordinary Isrealis- but unlike Russia, they actually have a choice in the leaders they vote for.

Original poster
Everexpanding · 05/12/2025 22:02

@SharonEllis anti Semitic attacks are abhorrent, and I understand your concern that they have increased. Would you agree that people who carry out hate crimes have dehumanised their victims and hold them collectively responsible for whatever grievance they hold? No longer see them as an individual? I would think so and that is why I think your constant targetting of those who oppose Israel’s actions with claims such criticism is antisemitic is totally misplaced.
people who are opposing Israel’s actions are actually compassionate people who are capable of recognising the humanity of each individual Palestinian killed, individuals with different lives and dreams who do not deserve to be collectively punished . I would think those on here who oppose Israel’s actions are actually quite unlikely to be anti semites.
I do however think those constantly defending the killing of 20,000 children need to question whether they have become blinded to the humanity of Palestinians whether that is through hatred or fear

OP posts:
SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 21:47

Out of interest have you done any research on how antisemitism works?

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 21:46

peepsypops · 05/12/2025 21:44

Correct. @SharonEllisout of interest, do you condemn attacks on innocent children in Gaza? That part seems glazed over - it is usually met with “but look what happened to XYZ”. I notice you stated there was no such genocide in one of your earliest posts on this thread.

Show quote history

Obviously. As I have said many many times.

peepsypops · 05/12/2025 21:44

belleager · 05/12/2025 21:38

Peaceful and public disagreement with Israeli policy does not constitute an attack on Israel.

Show quote history

Correct. @SharonEllisout of interest, do you condemn attacks on innocent children in Gaza? That part seems glazed over - it is usually met with “but look what happened to XYZ”. I notice you stated there was no such genocide in one of your earliest posts on this thread.

thingsarelookingupfornigel · 05/12/2025 21:43

belleager · 05/12/2025 21:38

Peaceful and public disagreement with Israeli policy does not constitute an attack on Israel.

Show quote history

Or does it?

belleager · 05/12/2025 21:38

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 21:17

There has been an explosion of antisemitism at the same time. Attacks on innocent Jews for something completely unrelated to them. But you think that has nothing to do with attacks on Israel? You really think the two impulses
Are enitely unconnected? It defies logic.

Show quote history

Peaceful and public disagreement with Israeli policy does not constitute an attack on Israel.

StandingSideBySide · 05/12/2025 21:24

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 21:17

There has been an explosion of antisemitism at the same time. Attacks on innocent Jews for something completely unrelated to them. But you think that has nothing to do with attacks on Israel? You really think the two impulses
Are enitely unconnected? It defies logic.

Show quote history

The threads about Eurovision boycotts
Not anti semitism

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 21:17

Workingwell · 05/12/2025 21:07

Stop trying to deflect (as always).

This thread is about the boycott of the Eurovision, which is not for anti-semitic reasons.

Show quote history

There has been an explosion of antisemitism at the same time. Attacks on innocent Jews for something completely unrelated to them. But you think that has nothing to do with attacks on Israel? You really think the two impulses
Are enitely unconnected? It defies logic.

Workingwell · 05/12/2025 21:07

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 19:24

Was the Manchester attack legitimate criticism of Jews?

Show quote history

Stop trying to deflect (as always).

This thread is about the boycott of the Eurovision, which is not for anti-semitic reasons.

Stripes56 · 05/12/2025 20:55

Does the increase in antisemitism mean we should stop justified criticism of Israel?

thingsarelookingupfornigel · 05/12/2025 20:53

No. I didn’t.

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 20:51

thingsarelookingupfornigel · 05/12/2025 20:45

Gosh.

Show quote history

Oh? Did you actually realise the scale of antisemitism then?

thingsarelookingupfornigel · 05/12/2025 20:45

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 20:38

You said I was exaggerrating when I said there had been an explosion of antisemitic hate. You either were not aware of the scale, which suggests at best a lack of curiosity and very narrow media sources, or deliberate minimising of reality.

Show quote history

Gosh.

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 20:38

thingsarelookingupfornigel · 05/12/2025 20:36

You were calling out a score. Not me.

Show quote history

You said I was exaggerrating when I said there had been an explosion of antisemitic hate. You either were not aware of the scale, which suggests at best a lack of curiosity and very narrow media sources, or deliberate minimising of reality.

thingsarelookingupfornigel · 05/12/2025 20:36

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 20:31

Do you still think my well-documented point that there has been an explosion of antisemitic hate is 'exaggerated'? How many Jewish people have to be abused attacked or murdered for it to be noteworthy?

Show quote history

You were calling out a score. Not me.

Stripes56 · 05/12/2025 20:33

SharonEllis · 05/12/2025 19:42

Are you for real?

A selected list of just some Attacks on Jews since 7 October. I have excluded attacks specifically on specifically Israeli targets.

18 October 2023, molotov cocktails thrown at a synagogue in Berlin

NOVEMBER 2023: Jewish woman stabbed in Lyon with antisemitic graffiti on door.

FEBRUARY 2024: Jewish man stabbed in Paris, attacker making antisemitic remarks.

MAY 1, 2024: a historic synagogue in warsaw was hit by a molotov cocktail

MAY 17, 2024: French police shot dead a knife-wielding Algerian man who set fire to a synagogue in the city of Rouen.

JUNE 2024: A Jordanian national broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, and caused more than $450,000 in damage. In May 2025, he was sentenced to six years in U.S. federal prison for threats against and attacks on businesses over their perceived support for Israel, after pleading guilty in December.

JUNE 2024: gang rape of a 12 year old Jewish girl, treated as antisemitic

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024: Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a Pakistani citizen living in Canada, was arrested and charged with planning a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn around October 7, 2024 in support of Islamic State, the Department of Justice said.

JANUARY 17, 2025: A home in Sydney previously owned by a senior Jewish community leader was vandalised and two cars were set on fire, with one spray-painted with an antisemitic slur.

JANUARY 21, 2025: A childcare centre in Sydney was set alight and antisemitic graffiti was sprayed on the wall.

FEBRUARY 21, 2025: An attacker stabbed a man at Berlin's Holocaust memorial.

AUGUST 31, 2025: A Holocaust memorial in the French city of Lyon was defaced, with the words "Free Gaza" etched into a black marble stele.

OCTOBER 2, 2025: A man drove a car into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard, killing at least two people and seriously injuring three more at a synagogue in Manchester where worshippers were marking Yom Kippur.

Patterns of antisemitic attacks:

The Anti-Defamation League recordrd 8,873 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2023, a 140% increase over 2022 and a record high since it began keeping track in 1979.

In 2024, ADL tracked 9,354 incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault in the United States. While the tally rose by only 5% from 2023, the group highlighted a significant rise in assaults, which accounted for 196 incidents.

According to the Protection Service for the Jewish Community, antisemitic acts in France rose from 436 in 2022 to 1,676 in 2023. 1,570 aggressions were recorded in 2024.

In Australia, antisemitic acts recorded from October 1, 2023 to September 20, 2024 showed a 316% increase from a year earlier to 2,062 incidents, a report by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry showed.

According to CST 2023 saw record high in antisemitic attacks in UK with sustained high levels continuing.

How do any of these attacks on Jews relate to legitimate criticism of Israel? How do you account for such dramatic increases in attacks on people who do not in any way represebt the government of Israel?

Show quote history

Both can be true - there has been an increase in antisemitism and criticism of Israel is not due to antisemitism.

Are you asking us to turn a blind eye to concerns about Israel’s war crimes due to increase in antisemitism following 7/10?

Where do you think raising concerns on impact on Palestinians sits within this - as we can’t raise concerns about their welfare without understanding role of both Israel and Hamas in their suffering?