Austria’s foreign minister has begged countries not to boycott next year’s Eurovision over Israel’s participation as the BBC ponders broadcasting the song contest.
After winning the most recent competition Austria, is set to host the 70th annual music extravaganza in Vienna next May.
But several countries and their broadcasters have already pledged to withdraw from the competition to protest the war in Gaza if Israel is allowed to take part.
The UK is yet to make a decision on whether they would boycott the competition – with BBC director-general Tim Davie in the process of reviewing their position.
Beate Meinl-Reisinger said boycotting Eurovision would only deepen divisions.
‘As foreign minister of the host country, I am deeply concerned about the risk of a rift between the members of the European Broadcasting Union on this issue,’ she wrote in a letter seen by Reuters.
‘Such a rift would only deepen the discord and preclude opportunities for important dialogue between artists and the public – without improving the situation on the ground in Israel and Gaza.
‘Excluding Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest or boycotting the event would neither alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza nor contribute to a sustainable political solution.’
On Tuesday, Spain, one of the so-called ‘big five’ Eurovision countries – that provide the biggest financial contributions to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – announced it would not attend if Israel participates.
The head of TRVE, its state broadcaster said: ‘Current events and the genocide currently taking place make it impossible for us to look the other way’.
If Israel does participate, Spain will miss the final for the first time since 1961.
The other countries that have also committed to withdrawing on the same terms are Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland.
The EBU will come to a final decision on Israel’s inclusion when it meets in December.
In a statement earlier this month, Martin Green, the Eurovision director, said ‘we understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East’, but confirmed that the organisation was ‘still consulting’ with EBU members on how to ‘manage participation and geopolitical tensions’.
In February 2022, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that Russia was banned from partaking in the iconic Eurovision contest due to the invasion of Ukraine.
It declared that the inclusion of a Russian entry at contest in Turin, Italy, in May would bring the contest into ‘disrepute’.
In retaliation Vladimir Putin created his own version of the Eurovision Song Contest, which is set to launch tonight.
The Kremlin’s anti-woke competition ‘Intervision’ will see 23 countries from around the world compete for the top prize of 30million rubles (equivalent to more than £266,000).
In contrast to Eurovision, which often celebrates LGBTQ+ themes and performers decked out in flamboyant outfits, Putin’s anti-West reboot is set to feature acts that promote ‘traditional family values’.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of the various views and concerns which have been expressed in recent days in relation to next year’s Eurovision.
‘At this stage, we will continue to be part of the discussions, led by the European Broadcasting Union, with other members and broadcasters.
‘Eurovision has never been led by politics, it has been – and is – a celebration of music and culture that brings people together from across the world.’
