Israel’s participation in next spring’s Eurovision continues to cause aggravation.
Eurovision will be 70 years old next spring. Pictured is Justyna Steczkowska, who represented Poland this spring. Sarah Louise Bennett, EBU
Several European countries are not going to participate in next spring’s Eurovision if Israel is involved.
Ireland, Slovenia, Spain and the Netherlands have announced that they will skip the Eurovision in Vienna if Israel is accepted into the competition.
The reason is Israel’s military actions in Gaza and allegations of genocide.
Euronews writes that the Spanish broadcasting company in particular has been fed up with Israel’s activities this spring. Criticism was sparked by a campaign by the Israeli government’s advertising agency, which promoted this year’s competition song in different countries.
– Israel has used the competition politically, tried to influence the result and has not been punished for this action, which has happened at least in the last two years, the Spanish broadcasting company José Pablo López comment.
– Any other country that would have used the competition like this, I can assure you, it would have received a penalty and a temporary ban from the competition.
Representative of the Slovenian Broadcasting Company Natalija Gorščak has also said that the country will make its decision after Ebu, or the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union. The meeting will be held in December.
Yle has not yet announced to the public whether Finland will participate in next spring’s Eurovision.
Changes
Ebu recently announced that he will change the rules of the singing competition. In the future, advertising campaigns by states, agencies or third parties are prohibited.
If broadcasting companies or artists participate in campaigning that tries to improperly influence the results of the competition, sanctions will follow.
Eurovision won’t accept advertising campaigns from countries in the future. Pictured is Tommy Cash, who represented Estonia this year. EBU/ALMA BENGTSSON/SARAH LOUISE BENNETT
Another big change concerns public voting. In the future, instead of 20 votes, one person can only cast 10 votes per payment method.
– The Eurovision Song Contest must always be kept as a place where music is at the center – and where we still truly stand together with the power of music, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest Martin Green stated in the announcement.
Next spring, the juries will also return to the semi-finals. In the past, the juries have only voted in the final.
Sources: Euronews, Slovenia Times