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

[Everexpanding]

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

No. I didn’t.

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

Stop trying to deflect (as always).

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

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.

The threads about Eurovision boycotts
Not anti semitism

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

Or does it?

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.

Obviously. As I have said many many times.

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

@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

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.

Ok. I must have been off that day. 🙄

Perhaps you were. Sharon has said it many times.

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)?

Another person peacefully protesting Israeli atrocities. Such a lot of bad apples

www.jewishnews.co.uk/man-jailed-for-sending-antisemitic-threats-to-jewish-mp/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcAOgsH9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAadU0m8zmyCsoupK_mdAcc2tW9Th3MaK5wo1-fr5Lmb39VgVLfOXMQIGpWOGMQ_aem_RLF94kjbi8vy2b_3Ba5z5w

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

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.

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

Old news. There was a long thread about this a few weeks ago. Post it there.

No its news from yesterday. Its entirely relevant to the suggestion above that everyone who opposes Iarael is just a compassionate person empathising with Palestinians and not antisemitic.

Logical fallacy alert.

Concessions made to voting rules to prevent targeting voting of one country’s song submission as a proxy vote of support for that country:

Maximum number of votes for 1 payment method reduced from 20 to 10

Return of a professional jury in semi-finals

Request to broadcasters not to use disproportionate campaigns to support their song submission particularly when supported/ orchestrated by their governments.

No but a poster was minimising the scale of the increase in antisemitism since 7/10 so @SharonEllis gave data to prove her point.