Several MPs propose to Finland a visa boycott.
Erika Vikman represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest last spring. Aop
Several MPs have suggested that Finland will boycott Eurovision if Israel participates in the competition.
Most recently, Jouni Ovaska (Center), Chairman of the Committee on Transport and Communications, says he wishes to have a common solution to the Nordic countries to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.
– The Nordic countries must make a common solution to participating in Eurovision. If Isreal participates, the Nordic countries will have to freeze or, alternatively, send a message to the European Broadcasting Company that Israel must exclude the competition, Ovaska comments in the release.
Ovaska commented in the announcement that the Nordic countries share the same value base, so it would be natural to work together and to show leadership to the rest of Europe.
Jouni Ovaska wishes the Nordic countries a common solution to participating in Eurovision. Joel Maalmi
In the beginning of the week, Jenni Pitko, a MP and vice chairman of the Greens, insisted that the debate would be in Finland as soon as possible.
– Israeli’s war and genocide in Gaza are extremely serious. The previous Eurovision Song Contest showed that Israel also aims to use the Eurovision Song Contest as part of its propaganda and wash their image to continue its operations in Gaza. This should no longer be given the opportunity, Pitko outlines in the bulletin.
According to Pitko, since many European countries have taken a “strong position” against the participation of Israel, it would be “very necessary” for Finland to send a similar message.
“Now is a good time for Finland that Yle will not participate if Israel is allowed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest,” says Pitko.
Jenni Pitko hopes that YLE will not participate in visas if Israel is involved. Mikko Huisko
Elisa Gebhard (SDP), MP, also proposed Finland’s exertion on Eurovision earlier this week. According to Gebhard, Israel’s involvement in Eurovision cannot be justified by the fact that this is not a political event.
– Russia was ruled out of the Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine in Ukraine in 2022. If the same is not done for Israel, the European Broadcasting Union EBU will send a message that Israel’s activities are less unacceptable. This, in turn, helps Israel justify its inhumane activities in Gaza, and offers the country the opportunity to polish his own image, Gebhard says according to the release.
Elisa Gebhard hopes for a visa boycott. Atte Kajova
So far, five European countries have said that they are boycotting Eurovision if Israel is involved. These countries include Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands.
Johanna Törn -Mangs, Director of YLE’s Culture and Asia, told Iltalehti earlier in the week that Yle is an impartial and independent media whose mission is not to take a stand on political issues or to pursue state -level policies.
– It is our job to bring in the cultural experiences that are unifying to Finns, and UMK has grown magnificently.
– I want to emphasize that this does not mean, of course, that we would accept the suffering caused by war. The situation in Gaza is heartbreaking, Törn-Mangs said.
In 2022, Yle announced that it would withdraw from visas if Russia was involved.
The decision to participate in the visa must be made by mid -December.
The Eurovision Song Contest will be held next spring in Vienna.