Double Vision

The Eurovision Song Contest purports to be non-political, stating in its rules that it ‘shall in no case be politicised and/or instrumentalised.’ But, since refusing participation to Russia in 2022 due to their invasion of Ukraine and now allowing Israel to partake this year regardless of the ongoing brutality in Palestine, they have become swept up in exactly the kind of political storm that they may have wished to avoid.

Around the world, musicians, political figures and ordinary folk have called for a boycott of the competition in response to this perceived double standard and the potential normalisation of Israel’s actions in Palestine. Over 450 queer figures called for Olly Alexander, Britain’s contestant, to refuse participation. Similarly, a petition signed by over 400 artists was put together pleading for Bambie Thug, Ireland’s contestant, to stand down. In response to these and ever-growing calls, several contestants signed a statement indicating that they would participate regardless, declaring, ‘In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza, and in Israel, we do not feel comfortable being silent… We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections.’ The statement concluded, ‘We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.’ It is unclear whether contestants familiar to Songlines readers, such as Puuluup (from Estonia) and Marina Satti (from Greece) have signed this statement, though they are set to participate. Ukraine's Jamala, who won the contest in 2016, told PA news that, while "Some countries may refuse to participate [in the song contest]… we [Ukraine] cannot afford to give up such a contest in time of war."

The broad statement signed by Alexander and Bambie Thug has been criticised for lacking a strong argument, and calls for viewers and contestants alike to boycott the competition continue. These come in the context of several other such music-related initiatives: over 60 acts pulled out of the recent SXSW festival in Texas and ‘46 acts and three stages have pulled out’ of the upcoming Great Escape festival in Brighton according to the Instagram account Bands Boycott Barclays. Both sets of boycott actions were initiated due to the festivals’ ties to companies supplying arms to Israel.

With Eurovision set to go ahead, its final on Saturday, May 11 in Malmö, Sweden, protests and fringe events will take place leading up to it. One such event, Shine on Palestine: The Alternative Eurovision consists of two parallel 'night[s] of music and solidarity' in Dublin and Galway on Friday, May 10. Sharon Shannon, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, John Spillane, Chloë Agnew and others will perform and footage of the events will be broadcast online during the Eurovision final.