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

Yes, I did, I find it difficult to be civil to those who partake in tag team banter on threads about human rights abuses and who daily seek to minimise, whitewash and distract from the dystopian horror that is Gaza

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.

Always appreciate the attempted psychological digs @dairydebris . Happy to stop posting when others stop posting misinformation/ minimisation

And here was me thinking that they were predictable because of the constant attempts to drag the thread off topic, refusal to engage in two way discussion, accusing people of twisting and attacking when they respond to vague wishy washy posts, avoidance of actually clarifying what these vague posts mean, then ends in a little bit of chortling and sniggering as even more distraction from the topic at hand.

i don’t recognise your characterisation of the thread at all.

As Dairy said, some people here are arguing with a phantom. I don't think anyone can help.

Haha, phantom is quite accurate, disappears and evasive when asked straight forward questions and expected to engage in sensible two way discussion but then reappears as if by magic throw out accusations and to stir up a little bit of mischief💀

Well no laughing emojis today thankfully

Who are you referring to?

Excellent book by Hannah Arendt, I read it years ago and have just started a reread.

"Arendt argues that Eichmann was not a monstrous fanatic but an "unremarkable bureaucrat" whose horrific actions stemmed from a "banality of evil," or a thoughtless, uncritical compliance with orders and a desire for career advancement. The book controversially suggests that the trial's focus on portraying Eichmann as a unique monster missed the more terrifying possibility that his type of evil is driven by moral emptiness and a failure to think, rather than profound malevolence"

Why are you interrogating me?

Sharon I admit I was hoping it was me! Was quite disappointed to hear I wasn't your apprentice earlier....

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

Ok. That's the level we're at. Everyone can see it!

I thought that's what it is called on this thread when people look for clarification and it seems to be frowned upon. Did I get that wrong?

Mmmm maybe you have more than one apprentice... we can all learn things from each other

I'm still waiting to find out who put me in charge? Maybe the phantom?

Don't be silly. It's the overlords. Check your bank account.

:-)

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

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

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.

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.

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

Not sure whether to be offended or flattered 😂