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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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Original poster
Everexpanding · 12/12/2025 13:25

dairydebris · 12/12/2025 13:19

Sorry you didn't enjoy those threads Ever, I thought they were hilarious.

Just to be clear-

Not hilarious- war crimes, death and suffering of children, war and hatred in general.

Hilarious- 'symbolic aid', virtue signaling that backfires, celebrities pretending to wish to enter a war zone and then hypocritically complaining about being rescued while eating the provided sandwiches.

Also hilarious- thinking you're making a moral point by returning a meaningless award and speaking about values while promoting division and hatred.

Edited
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“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” – Elie Wiesel

OP posts:
CrossChecking · 12/12/2025 13:21

dairydebris · 12/12/2025 13:19

Sorry you didn't enjoy those threads Ever, I thought they were hilarious.

Just to be clear-

Not hilarious- war crimes, death and suffering of children, war and hatred in general.

Hilarious- 'symbolic aid', virtue signaling that backfires, celebrities pretending to wish to enter a war zone and then hypocritically complaining about being rescued while eating the provided sandwiches.

Also hilarious- thinking you're making a moral point by returning a meaningless award and speaking about values while promoting division and hatred.

Edited
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Yeah, some people do find name calling hilarious.

dairydebris · 12/12/2025 13:19

CrossChecking · 12/12/2025 13:06

She's not the only one unfortunately. A post further up the thread reminded me of all of the vitriol the people on the flotilla received even on here it was astonishing how the people on the flotilla angered some people more than war crimes have. Some people don't like it when attention is drawn to depravity(something that Ms Rachel has been very good at doing) so go into instant attack mode.

Already I see across social media Nemo is being called racist and antisemitic, presumably by the same type of people who lept in to call whole countries racist and antisemitic based on a broadcaster in those countries boycotting a singing contest.

Show quote history

Sorry you didn't enjoy those threads Ever, I thought they were hilarious.

Just to be clear-

Not hilarious- war crimes, death and suffering of children, war and hatred in general.

Hilarious- 'symbolic aid', virtue signaling that backfires, celebrities pretending to wish to enter a war zone and then hypocritically complaining about being rescued while eating the provided sandwiches.

Also hilarious- thinking you're making a moral point by returning a meaningless award and speaking about values while promoting division and hatred.

CrossChecking · 12/12/2025 13:06

MissyB1 · 12/12/2025 11:42

Yes Ms Rachel has faced horrific threats, but good on her for standing her ground, she’s wonderful!

Show quote history

She's not the only one unfortunately. A post further up the thread reminded me of all of the vitriol the people on the flotilla received even on here it was astonishing how the people on the flotilla angered some people more than war crimes have. Some people don't like it when attention is drawn to depravity(something that Ms Rachel has been very good at doing) so go into instant attack mode.

Already I see across social media Nemo is being called racist and antisemitic, presumably by the same type of people who lept in to call whole countries racist and antisemitic based on a broadcaster in those countries boycotting a singing contest.

dairydebris · 12/12/2025 12:58

Babyboomtastic · 12/12/2025 12:47

My wording wasn't entirely coincidental 😜

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Im embarrassed I missed this 😉

Babyboomtastic · 12/12/2025 12:47

Twiglets1 · 12/12/2025 11:27

Got him a bit of attention for 5 minutes anyway 🤷🏼‍♀️

Sorry - them.

Not sure they would appreciate being described as a bloke with balls @Babyboomtastic

Edited

My wording wasn't entirely coincidental 😜

MissyB1 · 12/12/2025 11:42

CrossChecking · 12/12/2025 11:02

I agree that it is brave to hand it back. The witch hunt against people who speak out can be dreadful, just ask Ms Rachel.

Show quote history

Yes Ms Rachel has faced horrific threats, but good on her for standing her ground, she’s wonderful!

Twiglets1 · 12/12/2025 11:27

Got him a bit of attention for 5 minutes anyway 🤷🏼‍♀️

Sorry - them.

Not sure they would appreciate being described as a bloke with balls @Babyboomtastic

CrossChecking · 12/12/2025 11:02

Babyboomtastic · 12/12/2025 10:41

I see that the bloke who won last year at least had the balls to hand it back in protest.

I agree that it is brave to hand it back. The witch hunt against people who speak out can be dreadful, just ask Ms Rachel.

SharonEllis · 12/12/2025 11:00

Quick jump on the bandwagon!

dairydebris · 12/12/2025 10:51

Babyboomtastic · 12/12/2025 10:41

I see that the bloke who won last year at least had the balls to hand it back in protest.

🙄 how on earth is it ballsy to hand back an award? Its PR, that's it. Maybe they can join the next futuila too

SharonEllis · 12/12/2025 10:45

I'm sure Yuval Raphael is in awe of his bravery.

Babyboomtastic · 12/12/2025 10:41

I see that the bloke who won last year at least had the balls to hand it back in protest.

dairydebris · 12/12/2025 07:25

quantumbutterfly · 12/12/2025 07:20

Last year's song from Yuval Raphael was beautiful. She was inspirational.
On another note (😶) the silliness of the Sauna song and 'Espresso Macchisto' were favourites with my son.

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I didn't watch but did find it incredibly moving that Yuval made it through the attack and the negativity to perform on stage. She's an absolute hero.

SharonEllis · 12/12/2025 07:24

Ellen2shoes · 11/12/2025 23:45

‘Live what you claim. If the values we celebrate on stage aren’t lived off stage, then even the most beautiful songs become meaningless.’

www.reuters.com/world/swiss-eurovision-winner-nemo-send-trophy-back-protest-over-israels-participation-2025-12-11/

My values include not publicly (or privately) bullying a young woman who has been through trauma. But how many EV performers stepped in to protect and defend her?

quantumbutterfly · 12/12/2025 07:20

dairydebris · 12/12/2025 07:09

Hard disagree. Its impossible for the values we celebrate in art to be lived off the stage 100% of the time by 100% of people / nations.
Art brings people together. Art transcends politics and division. Or at least it can, if allowed.

Not that EV is strictly Art... but my point is the same.

More unity, less division.

Show quote history

Last year's song from Yuval Raphael was beautiful. She was inspirational.
On another note (😶) the silliness of the Sauna song and 'Espresso Macchisto' were favourites with my son.

dairydebris · 12/12/2025 07:09

Ellen2shoes · 11/12/2025 23:45

‘Live what you claim. If the values we celebrate on stage aren’t lived off stage, then even the most beautiful songs become meaningless.’

www.reuters.com/world/swiss-eurovision-winner-nemo-send-trophy-back-protest-over-israels-participation-2025-12-11/

Hard disagree. Its impossible for the values we celebrate in art to be lived off the stage 100% of the time by 100% of people / nations.
Art brings people together. Art transcends politics and division. Or at least it can, if allowed.

Not that EV is strictly Art... but my point is the same.

More unity, less division.

Ellen2shoes · 11/12/2025 23:45

‘Live what you claim. If the values we celebrate on stage aren’t lived off stage, then even the most beautiful songs become meaningless.’

www.reuters.com/world/swiss-eurovision-winner-nemo-send-trophy-back-protest-over-israels-participation-2025-12-11/

Original poster
Everexpanding · 11/12/2025 23:40

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/11/nemo-eurovision-winner-2024-hand-back-trophy-protest-israel-taking-part-2025

In their statement, Nemo said: “This is not about individuals or artists. The contest was repeatedly used to soften the image of a state accused of severe wrongdoing, all while the EBU insisted Eurovision is ‘non-political’. And when entire countries withdraw over this contradiction, it should be clear that something is deeply wrong. That’s why I’ve decided that I’m sending my trophy back to the EBU headquarters in Geneva.”

Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest at Israel taking part in 2026

‘Clear conflict’ between Eurovision ideals of ‘inclusion and dignity for all’ and decision to let Israel compete, says 2024 winner

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/11/nemo-eurovision-winner-2024-hand-back-trophy-protest-israel-taking-part-2025

OP posts:
dairydebris · 11/12/2025 11:16

Twiglets1 · 11/12/2025 08:22

Hopefully now these 5 countries that feel the strongest about Israel performing have removed themselves, Eurovision 2026 can be conducted in the peaceful & cheerful spirit of the competition.

In 2024 the Israeli representative received death threats & was booed as she sang. Last year's singer Yuval Raphael was also booed as she sang, despite being a survivor of Hamas's October 7th attacks and still having shrapnel in her leg from the incident.

A crew member was hit with paint after two pro Palestinian protestors tried to rush on stage to disrupt Ms Raphael's performance. Even during her rehearsal for the semi-final, pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted her act with oversized flags and whistles.

Ms Raphael, who had practiced performing while being booed, said she was trying not to deal with those who say her country shouldn't be competing. "Everybody has opinions," she said. "I'm really putting everything aside and just concentrating on the most important thing. The slogan this year is 'united by music' and that's what we are here for."

More of this attitude please.

"Everybody has opinions," she said. "I'm really putting everything aside and just concentrating on the most important thing. The slogan this year is 'united by music' and that's what we are here for."

Personally don't give a shit about EV but art / music / storytelling / sport really is an opportunity for opposing sides to come together... I like it when it's the best of humankind rather than more of the worst.

HectorPlasm · 11/12/2025 09:28

Just kill this lame sad shitshow off and be done with it

Pacificsunshine · 11/12/2025 09:12

This reply has been deleted

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

Twiglets1 · 11/12/2025 09:12

SharonEllis · 11/12/2025 08:30

It was horrific wasn't it? What an amazing, brave young woman. As I said early on, good riddance to those who are boycotting. Im sure the contest will be a happier place without them.

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Absolutely she is a brave young woman and was participating with a peaceful agenda but some people couldn't separate the artist from their views about the country she represented, and still can't apparently.

It's the 70th edition of Eurovision in 2026, wouldn't it be lovely if all the artists could be treated respectfully next year? That would be a success in my eyes regardless of who actually wins.

Twiglets1 · 11/12/2025 09:04

keepeofthesevenkeys · 11/12/2025 08:55

Not sure why my commment about BelleHathor knowing about sinister twitter accounts were deleted, she posts them all the time.

Posting links to antisemitic twitter accounts? Fine. Pointing out those accountd are antisemitic? Not fine.

I understand your frustration but imagine it was deleted because the comment could be perceived as a personal attack. You have to be very careful what you say on MN because people can be as offensive as they want in their opinions etc, but comments against a person do tend to get deleted if reported.

keepeofthesevenkeys · 11/12/2025 08:55

Not sure why my commment about BelleHathor knowing about sinister twitter accounts were deleted, she posts them all the time.

Posting links to antisemitic twitter accounts? Fine. Pointing out those accountd are antisemitic? Not fine.