This year Eurovision’s mantra ‘united by music’ rings hollow as the European Broadcasting Union doubles down on including Israel in this year’s contest

Eurovision is supposed to be a celebration. Those lucky enough to bag tickets to the live shows are usually seen on TV dancing around the arena, cheering and having a fabulous time.

But during the jury show at this year’s song contest in Sweden, the atmosphere was anything but jubilant. Instead, the scenes inside the Malmö Arena were tense, and it’s not hard to guess why.

Clips shared online show how the usual cheers and applause were replaced by hostility, all of it directed at Eden Golan, Israel’s entry in this year’s competition. As she launched into her performance for the night, footage shows Golan being drowned out by booing and chants of “Free Palestine” from the audience. According to one attendee in the crowd, who shared their experience online, the “atmosphere inside the arena was horrible”.

  • Optional@lemmy.world
    7·
    7 months ago

    Instead, empty gestures, performative victimhood and self-preservation from the EBU, broadcasters and those competing have left a stain on Eurovision. It’s one that’s unlikely to wash out. When next year’s competition comes around, the camp spectacle and joyfulness that give the song contest its enticing colour will remain dirtied. No lessons will be learned, no accountability will be taken, and the lives of countless Palestinians will still be lost.

    Seems to be a lot of the ‘no accountability’ going around