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* {{esccnty|Norway}}, {{esccnty|Sweden}}, the {{esccnty|Netherlands}} and {{esccnty|Greece}}{{snd}}{{ill|Charlo Halvorsen|no}}, head of entertainment at Norwegian broadcaster [[NRK]], stated that by the time the list was published they had not taken an official position on the matter and were following the EBU's decisions;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Losen |first=Sofie |date=2023-12-05 |title=Alessandra Mele - Kjærlighet er sterkere enn hat |trans-title=Alessandra Mele: Love is stronger than hate |url=https://www.seher.no/kjendis/kjaerlighet-er-sterkere-enn-hat/80617869 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=[[Se og Hør]]|language=nb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stephenson|first=James|url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/12/06/nrk-is-following-what-the-ebu-decides-on-israel/|title=Norway: NRK is 'Following What the EBU Decides' on Israel|date=6 December 2023|access-date=6 December 2023|website=Eurovoix}}</ref> Swedish broadcaster [[Sveriges Television|SVT]] and Dutch broadcaster [[AVROTROS]] expressed similar intentions.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=David |date=9 December 2023 |title=EBU statement: Israel's broadcaster 'complies with all competition rules' and remains eligible for Eurovision 2024 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2023/12/09/ebu-statement-israel-complies-with-all-competition-rules-and-remains-eligible-for-eurovision-2024/278647/ |access-date=9 December 2023 |website=[[Wiwibloggs]]}}</ref> In January 2024, Halvorsen ultimately commented that NRK would not seek a "cultural boycott" of Israel in order not to "compromise {{om|our|sub=its|br=y}} integrity".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edland |first=Gyrid Friis |last2=Visker |first2=Nora |last3=Christensen |first3=Siri B. |last4=Hoen |first4=Espen Sjølingstad |date=2024-01-05 |title=Demonstrasjon utenfor NRK før MGP-slipp: Ingen sier noe |trans-title=Demonstration outside NRK before release of MGP artists: "Nobody says anything" |url=https://www.vg.no/i/zEm4r9 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=[[Verdens Gang|VG]] |language=nb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Katsoulakis |first=Manos |date=2024-01-06 |title=Norway: NRK will not boycott Israel's entry in Eurovision 2024! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2024/01/norway-nrk-will-not-boycott-israels-entry-in-eurovision-2024/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}}</ref> NRK, SVT and AVROTROS were all among the broadcasters that called for [[Eurovision Song Contest 2022#Exclusion of Russia|the exclusion of Russia from the 2022 contest]] upon [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|its invasion of Ukraine]] that year. In late December 2023, Greek broadcaster [[Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation|ERT]]'s head of communications Dora Chiraki stated that the broadcaster was following the same neutral stance, but was open to discussing the matter in the event that another broadcaster formally requested the EBU to exclude Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kodonas |first=Panos |date=2023-12-21 |title=Ζητούν από τη Μαρίνα Σάττι να αποσυρθεί από τη Eurovision - Τι λένε από την ΕΡΤ στο NEWS 24/7 |trans-title=Marina Satti is asked to withdraw from Eurovision – What ERT says on NEWS 24/7 |url=https://www.news247.gr/psixagogia/zitoun-apo-ti-marina-satti-na-aposirthei-apo-ti-eurovision-ti-apanta-i-ert/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=News 24/7 |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Koronakis |first=Spyros |date=2023-12-21 |title=Greece: ERT answers to fans who demand Israel's exclusion from Eurovision! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/12/greece-ert-answers-to-fans-who-demand-israels-exclusion-from-eurovision/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{esccnty|Norway}}, {{esccnty|Sweden}}, the {{esccnty|Netherlands}} and {{esccnty|Greece}}{{snd}}{{ill|Charlo Halvorsen|no}}, head of entertainment at Norwegian broadcaster [[NRK]], stated that by the time the list was published they had not taken an official position on the matter and were following the EBU's decisions;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Losen |first=Sofie |date=2023-12-05 |title=Alessandra Mele - Kjærlighet er sterkere enn hat |trans-title=Alessandra Mele: Love is stronger than hate |url=https://www.seher.no/kjendis/kjaerlighet-er-sterkere-enn-hat/80617869 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=[[Se og Hør]]|language=nb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stephenson|first=James|url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/12/06/nrk-is-following-what-the-ebu-decides-on-israel/|title=Norway: NRK is 'Following What the EBU Decides' on Israel|date=6 December 2023|access-date=6 December 2023|website=Eurovoix}}</ref> Swedish broadcaster [[Sveriges Television|SVT]] and Dutch broadcaster [[AVROTROS]] expressed similar intentions.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=David |date=9 December 2023 |title=EBU statement: Israel's broadcaster 'complies with all competition rules' and remains eligible for Eurovision 2024 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2023/12/09/ebu-statement-israel-complies-with-all-competition-rules-and-remains-eligible-for-eurovision-2024/278647/ |access-date=9 December 2023 |website=[[Wiwibloggs]]}}</ref> In January 2024, Halvorsen ultimately commented that NRK would not seek a "cultural boycott" of Israel in order not to "compromise {{om|our|sub=its|br=y}} integrity".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edland |first=Gyrid Friis |last2=Visker |first2=Nora |last3=Christensen |first3=Siri B. |last4=Hoen |first4=Espen Sjølingstad |date=2024-01-05 |title=Demonstrasjon utenfor NRK før MGP-slipp: Ingen sier noe |trans-title=Demonstration outside NRK before release of MGP artists: "Nobody says anything" |url=https://www.vg.no/i/zEm4r9 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=[[Verdens Gang|VG]] |language=nb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Katsoulakis |first=Manos |date=2024-01-06 |title=Norway: NRK will not boycott Israel's entry in Eurovision 2024! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2024/01/norway-nrk-will-not-boycott-israels-entry-in-eurovision-2024/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}}</ref> NRK, SVT and AVROTROS were all among the broadcasters that called for [[Eurovision Song Contest 2022#Exclusion of Russia|the exclusion of Russia from the 2022 contest]] upon [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|its invasion of Ukraine]] that year. In late December 2023, Greek broadcaster [[Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation|ERT]]'s head of communications Dora Chiraki stated that the broadcaster was following the same neutral stance, but was open to discussing the matter in the event that another broadcaster formally requested the EBU to exclude Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kodonas |first=Panos |date=2023-12-21 |title=Ζητούν από τη Μαρίνα Σάττι να αποσυρθεί από τη Eurovision - Τι λένε από την ΕΡΤ στο NEWS 24/7 |trans-title=Marina Satti is asked to withdraw from Eurovision – What ERT says on NEWS 24/7 |url=https://www.news247.gr/psixagogia/zitoun-apo-ti-marina-satti-na-aposirthei-apo-ti-eurovision-ti-apanta-i-ert/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=News 24/7 |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Koronakis |first=Spyros |date=2023-12-21 |title=Greece: ERT answers to fans who demand Israel's exclusion from Eurovision! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/12/greece-ert-answers-to-fans-who-demand-israels-exclusion-from-eurovision/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{esccnty|Iceland}}{{snd}} {{anchor|Iceland}} On 9 December 2023, {{ill|Stefán Eiríksson|is}}, the radio director of Icelandic broadcaster [[RÚV]], stated that the country would still participate in the 2024 contest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davíðsdóttir |first=Erla María |last2=Signýjardóttir |first2=Ástrós |date=2023-12-09 |title=Stendur ekki til að sniðganga Eurovision |trans-title=Not going to boycott Eurovision |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-09-stendur-ekki-til-ad-snidganga-eurovision-399280/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=ruv.is |publisher=[[RÚV]] |language=is}}</ref> Two days later, the board of the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland (FTT) sent Stefán a formal request that RÚV withdraw from the event unless Israel is excluded "on the same grounds as Russia in the last competition", stressing on human rights violations on the Israeli part.<ref name="ruv">{{Cite web |last=Hrólfsson |first=Ragnar Jón |date=2023-12-12 |title=FTT skorar á RÚV að sniðganga Eurovision ef Ísrael verður með |trans-title=FTT calls on RÚV to boycott Eurovision if Israel participates |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-12-ftt-skorar-a-ruv-ad-snidganga-eurovision-ef-israel-verdur-med-399434/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV |language=is}}</ref> On 18 December, activists of the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] (BDS) movement demonstrated outside the RÚV headquarters and Stefán agreed to meet them, with the group handing him a petition reiterating the request.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kristjánsson |first=Alexander |last2=Signýjardóttir |first2=Ástrós |date=2023-12-18 |title=Útvarpsstjóri tók við 9.000 undirskriftum um sniðgöngu í Eurovision |trans-title=A radio host received 9,000 signatures to boycott Eurovision |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-18-utvarpsstjori-tok-vid-9000-undirskriftum-um-snidgongu-i-eurovision-399909/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dahan |first=Tal |date=2023-12-18 |title=פעילי BDS הפגינו מול משרדי רשת הטלוויזיה האיסלנדית נגד השתתפות ישראל באירוויזיון |trans-title=BDS activists demonstrated in front of the offices of the Icelandic television network against Israel's participation in Eurovision |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/18/פעילי-bds-הפגינו-מול-משרדי-רשת-הטלוויזיה/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}</ref> Shortly after, the Icelandic branch of [[OGAE]] joined calls for the broadcaster to withdraw.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kristjánsson |first=Alexander |date=2023-12-23 |title=FÁSES skorar á RÚV að senda ekki lag í Eurovision |trans-title=FÁSES challenges RÚV not to send a song to Eurovision |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-23-fases-skorar-a-ruv-ad-senda-ekki-lag-i-eurovision-400645/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV}}</ref> In 2019, when the contest was held in Tel Aviv, RÚV [[Eurovision Song Contest 2019#Political demonstrations during the final|was fined for political content]] after its representatives [[Hatari (band)|Hatari]] displayed banners featuring the [[flag of Palestine|Palestinian flag]] during the final. [[Izhar Cohen]], {{esccnty|Israel|y=1978|t=winner of the 1978 contest for Israel}}, recalled the incident on 21 December during a talk show segment on [[Channel 13 (Israel)|Channel 13]] in light of the 2023 protests, furthermore accusing Icelandic BDS activists of [[antisemitism]] and believing "[[Pallywood|pro-Palestinian propaganda]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mostbalansky |first=David |date=2023-12-21 |title=ישראל: יזהר כהן במסר נוקב כלפי איסלנד - אירוויזיון |trans-title=Israel: Izhar Cohen in a scathing message towards Iceland |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/21/ישראל-יזהר-כהן-במסר-נוקב-לאיסלנד-שקורא/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}</ref> RÚV was also among those calling for the exclusion of Russia in 2022.
* {{esccnty|Iceland}}{{snd}} {{anchor|Iceland}} On 9 December 2023, {{ill|Stefán Eiríksson|is}}, the radio director of Icelandic broadcaster [[RÚV]], stated that the country would still participate in the 2024 contest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davíðsdóttir |first=Erla María |last2=Signýjardóttir |first2=Ástrós |date=2023-12-09 |title=Stendur ekki til að sniðganga Eurovision |trans-title=Not going to boycott Eurovision |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-09-stendur-ekki-til-ad-snidganga-eurovision-399280/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=ruv.is |publisher=[[RÚV]] |language=is}}</ref> Two days later, the board of the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland (FTT) sent Stefán a formal request that RÚV withdraw from the event unless Israel is excluded "on the same grounds as Russia in the last competition", stressing on human rights violations on the Israeli part.<ref name="ruv">{{Cite web |last=Hrólfsson |first=Ragnar Jón |date=2023-12-12 |title=FTT skorar á RÚV að sniðganga Eurovision ef Ísrael verður með |trans-title=FTT calls on RÚV to boycott Eurovision if Israel participates |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-12-ftt-skorar-a-ruv-ad-snidganga-eurovision-ef-israel-verdur-med-399434/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV |language=is}}</ref> On 18 December, activists of the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] (BDS) movement demonstrated outside the RÚV headquarters and Stefán agreed to meet them, with the group handing him a petition reiterating the request.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kristjánsson |first=Alexander |last2=Signýjardóttir |first2=Ástrós |date=2023-12-18 |title=Útvarpsstjóri tók við 9.000 undirskriftum um sniðgöngu í Eurovision |trans-title=A radio host received 9,000 signatures to boycott Eurovision |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-18-utvarpsstjori-tok-vid-9000-undirskriftum-um-snidgongu-i-eurovision-399909/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dahan |first=Tal |date=2023-12-18 |title=פעילי BDS הפגינו מול משרדי רשת הטלוויזיה האיסלנדית נגד השתתפות ישראל באירוויזיון |trans-title=BDS activists demonstrated in front of the offices of the Icelandic television network against Israel's participation in Eurovision |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/18/פעילי-bds-הפגינו-מול-משרדי-רשת-הטלוויזיה/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}</ref> Shortly after, the Icelandic branch of [[OGAE]] joined calls for the broadcaster to withdraw.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kristjánsson |first=Alexander |date=2023-12-23 |title=FÁSES skorar á RÚV að senda ekki lag í Eurovision |trans-title=FÁSES challenges RÚV not to send a song to Eurovision |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-23-fases-skorar-a-ruv-ad-senda-ekki-lag-i-eurovision-400645/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV}}</ref> In 2019, when the contest was held in Tel Aviv, RÚV [[Eurovision Song Contest 2019#Political demonstrations during the final|was fined for political content]] after its representatives [[Hatari (band)|Hatari]] displayed banners featuring the [[flag of Palestine|Palestinian flag]] during the final. [[Izhar Cohen]], {{esccnty|Israel|y=1978|t=winner of the 1978 contest for Israel}}, recalled the incident on 21 December during a talk show segment on [[Channel 13 (Israel)|Channel 13]] in light of the 2023 protests, furthermore accusing Icelandic BDS activists of [[antisemitism]] and believing "[[Pallywood|pro-Palestinian propaganda]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mostbalansky |first=David |date=2023-12-21 |title=ישראל: יזהר כהן במסר נוקב כלפי איסלנד - אירוויזיון |trans-title=Israel: Izhar Cohen in a scathing message towards Iceland |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/21/ישראל-יזהר-כהן-במסר-נוקב-לאיסלנד-שקורא/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}</ref> RÚV was also among those calling for the exclusion of Russia in 2022.
* {{esccnty|Ireland}}{{snd}}By mid-December 2023, Irish broadcaster [[RTÉ]] had received over 465 emails similarly urging it to boycott the event if Israel is permitted to compete, accusing the Israeli government of using it to portray the country in a positive light "despite the years of occupation and violence against Palestine"; RTÉ responded by stating that it had always approached the event as "a non-political contest designed to unite audiences and bring people together", arguing that no other broadcaster had expressed the intention to boycott it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pepper |first=Diarmuid |date=2023-12-13 |title=RTÉ receives close to 500 emails calling on it to boycott Eurovision due to Israel's involvement |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/rte-petition-to-boycott-eurovision-israeli-involvement-6249120-Dec2023/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=[[TheJournal.ie]]}}</ref> On 25 December, [[Taoiseach]] [[Leo Varadkar]] stated his opposition to calls for Ireland to boycott the contest due to Israel's participation, opining that doing so would be akin to "biting off your nose to spite your face".<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2023 |title=Leo Varadkar rejects calls to boycott Eurovision if Israel takes part |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/25/leo-varadkar-rejects-calls-boycott-eurovision-israel/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 December 2023 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
* {{esccnty|Ireland}}{{snd}}By mid-December 2023, Irish broadcaster [[RTÉ]] had received over 465 emails similarly urging it to boycott the event if Israel is permitted to compete, accusing the Israeli government of using it to portray the country in a positive light "despite the years of occupation and violence against Palestine"; RTÉ responded by stating that it had always approached the event as "a non-political contest designed to unite audiences and bring people together", arguing that no other broadcaster had expressed the intention to boycott it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pepper |first=Diarmuid |date=2023-12-13 |title=RTÉ receives close to 500 emails calling on it to boycott Eurovision due to Israel's involvement |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/rte-petition-to-boycott-eurovision-israeli-involvement-6249120-Dec2023/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=[[TheJournal.ie]]}}</ref> On 25 December, [[Taoiseach]] [[Leo Varadkar]] stated his opposition to calls for Ireland to boycott the contest due to Israel's participation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2023 |title=Leo Varadkar rejects calls to boycott Eurovision if Israel takes part |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/25/leo-varadkar-rejects-calls-boycott-eurovision-israel/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 December 2023 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
* {{esccnty|Finland}}{{snd}}On 19 December 2023, Finnish broadcaster [[Yle]]'s head of creative content and media {{ill|Ville Vilén|fi}} stated that the broadcaster had discussed the Israel–Hamas war situation with other Nordic broadcasters and monitored the EBU's stance, while also commenting that the war is not comparable to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiikkaja |first=Samuli |date=2023-12-19 |title=Euroviisut {{!}} Suomea vaaditaan vetäytymään Euroviisuista Israelin takia, kertoo Ylen johtaja |trans-title=Finland is being asked to withdraw from Eurovision because of Israel, says Yle's manager |url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000010069053.html |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |language=fi}}</ref> The following day, Yle posted through the [[Instagram]] account of its Eurovision national final {{lang|fi|[[Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu]]}} (UMK) that, while UMK would be held regardless of Finland's participation in Eurovision, the broadcaster was "closely following the situation in the Middle East" and holding discussions with the EBU and other Nordic broadcasters, suggesting the possibility of withdrawing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dahan |first=Tal |date=2023-12-20 |title=פינלנד: ההצהרה השנויה במחלוקת בנוגע להשתתפות ישראל באירוויזיון |trans-title=Finland: the controversial statement regarding Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/20/פינלנד-ההצהרה-השנויה-במחלוקת-בנוגע-לה/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=David |date=2023-12-20 |title=Finland: UMK account suggests possible Eurovision withdrawal over Israel's participation |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2023/12/20/finland-umk-account-suggests-possible-eurovision-withdrawl-over-israels-participation/278792/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=[[Wiwibloggs]]}}</ref> Yle was also among those calling for the exclusion of Russia in 2022.
* {{esccnty|Finland}}{{snd}}On 19 December 2023, Finnish broadcaster [[Yle]]'s head of creative content and media {{ill|Ville Vilén|fi}} stated that the broadcaster had discussed the Israel–Hamas war situation with other Nordic broadcasters and monitored the EBU's stance, while also commenting that the war is not comparable to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiikkaja |first=Samuli |date=2023-12-19 |title=Euroviisut {{!}} Suomea vaaditaan vetäytymään Euroviisuista Israelin takia, kertoo Ylen johtaja |trans-title=Finland is being asked to withdraw from Eurovision because of Israel, says Yle's manager |url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000010069053.html |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |language=fi}}</ref> The following day, Yle posted through the [[Instagram]] account of its Eurovision national final {{lang|fi|[[Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu]]}} (UMK) that, while UMK would be held regardless of Finland's participation in Eurovision, the broadcaster was "closely following the situation in the Middle East" and holding discussions with the EBU and other Nordic broadcasters, suggesting the possibility of withdrawing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dahan |first=Tal |date=2023-12-20 |title=פינלנד: ההצהרה השנויה במחלוקת בנוגע להשתתפות ישראל באירוויזיון |trans-title=Finland: the controversial statement regarding Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/20/פינלנד-ההצהרה-השנויה-במחלוקת-בנוגע-לה/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=David |date=2023-12-20 |title=Finland: UMK account suggests possible Eurovision withdrawal over Israel's participation |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2023/12/20/finland-umk-account-suggests-possible-eurovision-withdrawl-over-israels-participation/278792/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=[[Wiwibloggs]]}}</ref> In January 2024, a petition was signed by Finnish to demand the broadcaster's withdrawal.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holmberg|first=Frida|url=https://www.hbl.fi/artikel/b250905c-7668-55c6-8483-31f0dc6bd23e|title=Musiker kräver bojkott – 'Hamas deltar inte i ESC, det gör Israel'|trans-title=Musicians demand a boycott – "Hamas doesn't take part in ESC, Israel does"|language=sv-FI|work=[[Hufvudstadsbladet]]|date=2024-01-10|access-date=2024-01-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ampatzidis|first=Ioannis|url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2024/01/finland-musicians-call-to-stop-israels-participation-in-eurovision-2024/|title=Finland: Musicians Call to Stop Israel's Participation in Eurovision 2024|work=Eurovisionfun|date=2024-01-10|access-date=2024-01-10}}</ref> Yle was also among those calling for the exclusion of Russia in 2022.
* {{esccnty|United Kingdom}} and {{esccnty|Czech Republic|t=Czechia}}{{snd}}After [[Olly Alexander]] was revealed as the {{Esccnty|United Kingdom|t=UK entrant for the 2024 contest|y=2024}} in mid-December 2023, it emerged that in October the singer had signed a letter by [[LGBT movements|LGBT association]] Voices4London, which accused Israel of [[Israel and apartheid|committing apartheid against Palestinians]] and "[[Public diplomacy of Israel|Zionist propaganda]]" of [[pinkwashing (LGBT)#Israel|pinkwashing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories]];<ref>{{Cite news |last=Penna |first=Dominic |date=2023-12-20 |title=BBC urged to sack Eurovision entrant who called Israel an 'apartheid state' |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/12/20/bbc-pressure-olly-alexander-eurovision-israel-apartheid/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> the [[embassy of Israel, London|Israeli embassy in London]], as well as spokespeople of the Israeli government in the UK, criticised Alexander's views as "biased" and the [[BBC]] for "sending an entrant to Eurovision who espouses {{om|such|br=y}} partial views of Israel and promotes {{om|such|br=y}} dehumanising language of Israelis".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=2023-12-21 |title=BBC Urged To Fire UK Eurovision Entrant Olly Alexander After He Signed Letter Accusing 'Apartheid' State Israel Of Genocide |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/bbc-eurovision-entrant-olly-alexander-israel-letter-1235679575/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Naria |date=2023-12-23 |title=בריטניה: שגרירות ישראל יוצאת נגד השתתפות הנציג הבריטי - אירוויזיון 2024 |trans-title=Great Britain: The Israeli embassy opposes the participation of the British representative |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/23/ישראל-יזהר-כהן-במסר-נוקב-לאיסלנד-שקורא/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ntinos |first=Fotios |date=2023-12-21 |title=United Kingdom: BBC is asked to drop its entrant, Olly Alexander, after calling Israel an 'apartheid regime'! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/12/united-kingdom-bbc-is-asked-to-drop-its-entrant-olly-alexander-after-calling-israel-an-apartheid-regime/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}}</ref> Shortly after, Czech broadcaster [[Czech Television|ČT]]'s head of press Ahmad Halloun expressed his personal support for Alexander's stance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ntinos |first=Fotios |date=2023-12-22 |title=Czechia: The country's Head of Press calls Israel an 'apartheid regime'! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/12/czechia-the-countrys-head-of-press-calls-israel-an-apartheid-regime/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}}</ref> The BBC commented that it was not in a position to cut ties with someone who is not a journalist over their personal use of social media, thereby confirming Alexander as the 2024 UK representative.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Penna |first=Dominic |date=2023-12-22 |title=BBC will not stop Eurovision contestant expressing his political views |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/12/22/bbc-eurovision-contestant-olly-alexander-political-views/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
* {{esccnty|United Kingdom}} and {{esccnty|Czech Republic|t=Czechia}}{{snd}}After [[Olly Alexander]] was revealed as the {{Esccnty|United Kingdom|t=UK entrant for the 2024 contest|y=2024}} in mid-December 2023, it emerged that in October the singer had signed a letter by [[LGBT movements|LGBT association]] Voices4London, which accused Israel of [[Israel and apartheid|committing apartheid against Palestinians]] and "[[Public diplomacy of Israel|Zionist propaganda]]" of [[pinkwashing (LGBT)#Israel|pinkwashing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories]];<ref>{{Cite news |last=Penna |first=Dominic |date=2023-12-20 |title=BBC urged to sack Eurovision entrant who called Israel an 'apartheid state' |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/12/20/bbc-pressure-olly-alexander-eurovision-israel-apartheid/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> the [[embassy of Israel, London|Israeli embassy in London]], as well as spokespeople of the Israeli government in the UK, criticised Alexander's views as "biased" and the [[BBC]] for "sending an entrant to Eurovision who espouses {{om|such|br=y}} partial views of Israel and promotes {{om|such|br=y}} dehumanising language of Israelis".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=2023-12-21 |title=BBC Urged To Fire UK Eurovision Entrant Olly Alexander After He Signed Letter Accusing 'Apartheid' State Israel Of Genocide |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/bbc-eurovision-entrant-olly-alexander-israel-letter-1235679575/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Naria |date=2023-12-23 |title=בריטניה: שגרירות ישראל יוצאת נגד השתתפות הנציג הבריטי - אירוויזיון 2024 |trans-title=Great Britain: The Israeli embassy opposes the participation of the British representative |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/23/ישראל-יזהר-כהן-במסר-נוקב-לאיסלנד-שקורא/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ntinos |first=Fotios |date=2023-12-21 |title=United Kingdom: BBC is asked to drop its entrant, Olly Alexander, after calling Israel an 'apartheid regime'! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/12/united-kingdom-bbc-is-asked-to-drop-its-entrant-olly-alexander-after-calling-israel-an-apartheid-regime/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}}</ref> Shortly after, Czech broadcaster [[Czech Television|ČT]]'s head of press Ahmad Halloun expressed his personal support for Alexander's stance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ntinos |first=Fotios |date=2023-12-22 |title=Czechia: The country's Head of Press calls Israel an 'apartheid regime'! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/12/czechia-the-countrys-head-of-press-calls-israel-an-apartheid-regime/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}}</ref> The BBC commented that it was not in a position to cut ties with someone who is not a journalist over their personal use of social media, thereby confirming Alexander as the 2024 UK representative.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Penna |first=Dominic |date=2023-12-22 |title=BBC will not stop Eurovision contestant expressing his political views |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/12/22/bbc-eurovision-contestant-olly-alexander-political-views/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>


Revision as of 12:19, 10 January 2024

Eurovision Song Contest 2024
Country Israel
National selection
Selection processArtist: HaKokhav HaBa
Song: TBA
Selection date(s)TBA, 2024
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2023 • 2024 • 2025►

Israel is set to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden. The Israeli broadcaster Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/Kan) is selecting its representative through the show HaKokhav HaBa (Rising Star), in collaboration with the commercial broadcaster Keshet and Tedy Productions. The 2023 Israel–Hamas war has impacted the production of the show and brought Israel's participation in the contest into question.[1][2][3]

Background

Main article: Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2024 contest, Israel has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest forty-five times since its first entry in 1973.[4] Israel has won the contest on four occasions: in 1978 with the song "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" performed by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta, in 1979 with the song "Hallelujah" performed by Milk and Honey, in 1998 with the song "Diva" performed by Dana International and in 2018 with the song "Toy" performed by Netta Barzilai. Since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004, Israel has, to this point, managed to qualify to the final 12 times, achieving, besides its 2018 victory, four top ten results: in 2005 with Shiri Maimon and "Hasheket Shenish'ar" placing fourth, in 2008 with Boaz and "The Fire in Your Eyes" placing ninth, in 2015 with Nadav Guedj and "Golden Boy" placing ninth, and in 2023 with Noa Kirel and "Unicorn" placing third.[4]

The Israeli national broadcaster, Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/Kan), has been in charge of the nation's participation in the contest since 2018. On 5 June 2023, Kan confirmed Israel's participation in the 2024 contest, announcing that the Israeli entrant would return to be selected through the reality singing competition Rising Star, which had been used between 2015 and 2020.[5]

Before Eurovision

HaKokhav HaBa

As was the case between 2015 and 2020, the singer who will perform the Israeli entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is being selected through the reality singing competition HaKokhav HaBa, produced by Tedy Productions and Keshet Media Group, and broadcast on Keshet 12 as well as online via mako.co.il. The shows are hosted again by Assi Azar and Rotem Sela and feature a judging panel composed of Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon (2005 Israeli Eurovision entrant), Ran Danker, Itay Levi [he] and Eden Hason.[6][7]

Preliminary casting rounds started in late July 2023[6][7] and ended on 10 September 2023 at Pavillion 2 of Expo Tel Aviv (Eurovision Song Contest 2019 venue), where candidates were judged based on an a cappella performance of two songs of their choice.[8][9]

Shows and impact of the Israel–Hamas war

Qualifiers from the preliminary casting phase proceeded to the auditions proper, held in Jerusalem and originally set to be filmed in the presence of an audience from late September or early October 2023 and to begin airing in November 2023.[6][7][10] However, following the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war on 7 October 2023, filming for the competition was initially postponed in compliance with the Home Front Command's protection guidelines,[10][11] eventually beginning without an audience in the week between 16 and 22 October, with the broadcasts initially scheduled to start on 31 October.[12][13][14] The audience vote, which was set to determine 40% of the result alongside the judges, was replaced by the votes of a focus group.[12][14]

On 31 October 2023, when it was planned to air, the broadcast of the first episode was postponed in order to commemorate two soldiers who had been killed in combat earlier that day.[15][16] The decision to air the show in such circumstances was criticised by Israeli audiences and media,[1][17] and the broadcasts were ultimately rescheduled to start on 20 November.[18][19] The second show, scheduled for 22 November,[20] was postponed to make room for a governmental press conference regarding a deal negotiated that day for the release of hostages held by Hamas;[21] broadcasting resumed on 2 December.[22][23] Segments from the opening of the casting round of 10 September were included in the televised shows.[8][9]

The audition shows also included segments in support of the Israel Defense Forces, and the very first contestant, a member of the Education and Youth Corps band, performed wearing military fatigues;[18][20] this led some Eurovision fan media outlets to begin limiting their coverage of Israel's participation in the 2024 contest, on the grounds that it clashes with the non-political and pacifist values traditionally associated with the event.[2][24][25][26]

Auditions

Candidates were required to get a score of at least 70% of the votes from the judges and a focus group in order to advance.

Audition 1 – 20 November 2023[20]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Shai Tamino "Ulay" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 85% Advanced
2 Lian Biran "Anyone" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 97% Advanced
3 Eliya Sharabi "LeEhov Otakh Kol Yom" No Yes Yes Yes No Yes 56% Eliminated
4 Eden Golan "Rise Up" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 100% Advanced
Audition 2 – 2 December 2023[23]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Moria Angel "Rise Up" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 96% Advanced
2 Jonathan Bitton "Kakha Zeh [he]" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 86% Advanced
3 Malka Bernstein "Lo LeFakhed Klal" No No Yes Yes Yes No 45% Eliminated
4 Aric Sinai "Shamayim" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 90% Advanced
Audition 3 – 3 December 2023[27]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Shauli Greenglick† "Atalef Iver [he]" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 83% Expected to advance[a]
2 Michelle Shimonov "When We Were Young" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 88% Advanced
3 Ido Bartal [he] "Lekh Lishon [he]" / "Eyfoh Hayit [he]" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 80% Advanced
4 Ofri Maduel "HaKol Ad LeKhan [he]" No Yes No Yes Yes Did not vote 55% Eliminated
5 Adele Zeltzer "Mikhal [he]" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 87% Advanced
Audition 4 – 6 December 2023[29]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Orel Ravid "Ab HaRakhman" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 87% Advanced
2 Liran Ben Moshe "Shney Yeladim BaOla [he]" Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 75% Advanced
3 Noya Shrem "We're Good" Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 70% Advanced
4 Shalev Admoni "Osa Li Tzarot [he]" No Yes No No Yes No 42% Eliminated
5 Mika Moshe "Khazaka Yoter" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 79% Advanced
Audition 5 – 10 December 2023[30]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Malki Lipsker "Another Love" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 95% Advanced
2 Raz Levi "Yeled HaSadeh" No No Yes Yes No Yes 53% Eliminated
3 Dor Shimon "Akharei HaNetzakh" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 94% Advanced
4 Yehuda Saado "Angels" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 73% Advanced
Audition 6 – 17 December 2023[31]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Noa Aharon "Mangina [he]" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 94% Advanced
2 Zohar Zacharov "LaTzet MiDikaon [he]" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 81% Advanced
3 Or Giny "Hero" No No No Yes Yes Yes 55% Eliminated
4 Libi Naftali "Unicorn" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 82% Advanced
Audition 7 – 18 December 2023[32]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Mika Kertis "All I Want" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 87% Advanced
2 Israel Levi "Yesh Ein Sof [he]" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 78% Advanced
3 Frida Uziel "Tzipor Bli Shamayim [he]" Yes No Yes Yes Yes No 57% Eliminated
4 Eitan Jorno "Jealous" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 90% Advanced
5 Romi Netz "My Future" Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 78% Advanced
Audition 8 – 20 December 2023[33]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Or Cohen "Nakhon LeHaYom [he]" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 83% Advanced
2 Gal Kafri "She's Always a Woman" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 86% Advanced
3 Shoval Mualem "Akharei HaNetzakh" No Yes No Yes Yes Yes 62% Eliminated
4 Tahel Perry "Stone Cold" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Did not vote[b] 79% Advanced
5 Tamar Ben-Zvi "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 77% Advanced
Audition 9 – 25 December 2023[34]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Mishel Cohen "Ksheat Atzuva" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 88% Advanced
2 Itay Ben Shalom "Hay Shketa [he]" No Yes Yes Yes No Yes 70% Advanced
3 Anael Bender "How Far I'll Go" No Yes Yes Yes No No 68% Eliminated
4 Roman Belov "Believer" Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 72% Advanced
5 Sharon Kidushin "HaKol Boer" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 79% Advanced
Audition 10 – 27 December 2023[35]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A. A. E. H. K. P. I. L. R. D. S. M.
1 Tal Sofer "Dancing with the Devil" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 96% Advanced
2 Yosef Avraham "Yekhefim [he]" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 71% Advanced
3 Ofri Atias "Kol Shana Yesh April" No Yes Yes Yes Did not vote No 49% Eliminated
4 Gal Juma "Flowers" Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 71% Advanced
5 May Naftali "Somewhere Only We Know" No Yes Yes Yes Yes Did not vote[b] 78% Advanced
Shortlisting round

The following phase, aired in segments on 31 December 2023, consisted of a shortlisting round, where the artists receiving a "yes" vote from all six judges automatically qualified and the others were chosen among those who had received four or five "yes" votes. 14 artists were shortlisted, namely Lian Biran, Eden Golan, Aric Sinai, Yehuda Saado, Shai Tamino, Ido Bartal, Mika Moshe, Jonathan Bitton, Mika Kertis, Dor Shimon, Or Cohen, Gal Kafri, Moria Angel and Orel Ravid.[36]

Top 14 round

During the final phase, the contestant getting the lowest score from the votes of the judges and an audience in each show is eliminated, ultimately coming down to the winner.[37]

Top 14 round – Show 1 – 3 January 2024[38]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A.A. E.H. K.P. I.L. R.D. S.M.
1 Mika Moshe "LaTet VeLaKakhat" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 96% Advanced
2 Or Cohen "Creep" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 94% Advanced
3 Jonathan Bitton "Af Ekhad Lo Ba Li [he]" No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 65% Advanced
4 Moria Angel "Listen" No No Yes No Yes No 50% Advanced
5 Dor Shimon "Yareakh" No Yes Yes No No Yes 60% Advanced
6 Gal Kafri "Shir LaIma" No No No No No Yes 41% Eliminated
7 Eden Golan "Ain't No Other Man" Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes 85% Advanced
Top 14 round – Show 2 – 7 January 2024[39]
Draw Artist Song Jury votes Score Result
A.A. E.H. K.P. I.L. R.D. S.M.
1 Lian Biran "Someone You Loved" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 93% Advanced
2 Ido Bartal "LeEhov Otakh Kol Yom" / "Yasmin [he]" No Yes Yes No Yes Yes 67% Advanced
3 Shai Tamino "Paam At Layla" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 84% Advanced
4 Yehuda Saado "Merov Ahava Shotek" No No No Yes Yes Yes 50% Eliminated
5 Orel Ravid "Kol Kakh Harbeh Shirim" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 95% Advanced
6 Mika Kertis "Scars to Your Beautiful" Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 72% Advanced
7 Aric Sinai "Gara Mul HaMayim" Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 91% Advanced
Top 14 round – Show 3 – 10 January 2024
Duel Draw Artist Song Judges' vote Score Result
A.A. E.H. K.P. I.L. R.D. S.M.
TBA Eden Golan TBA TBD
Lian Biran

Calls for exclusion and other controversies

The ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip led to increasing calls that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) exclude Israel from taking part in the 2024 contest, with human rights activists urging other countries to boycott the event.[3][40] Despite this, Israel ultimately appeared on the list of participants released by the EBU on 5 December 2023.[41] On 8 December, the EBU issued a statement maintaining that Kan "complies with all competition rules", allowing it to participate in 2024.[42][43] The situation has sparked controversy in a number of participating countries:

  • Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Greece – Charlo Halvorsen [no], head of entertainment at Norwegian broadcaster NRK, stated that by the time the list was published they had not taken an official position on the matter and were following the EBU's decisions;[44][45] Swedish broadcaster SVT and Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS expressed similar intentions.[46] In January 2024, Halvorsen ultimately commented that NRK would not seek a "cultural boycott" of Israel in order not to "compromise [its] integrity".[47][48] NRK, SVT and AVROTROS were all among the broadcasters that called for the exclusion of Russia from the 2022 contest upon its invasion of Ukraine that year. In late December 2023, Greek broadcaster ERT's head of communications Dora Chiraki stated that the broadcaster was following the same neutral stance, but was open to discussing the matter in the event that another broadcaster formally requested the EBU to exclude Israel.[49][50]
  • Iceland – On 9 December 2023, Stefán Eiríksson [is], the radio director of Icelandic broadcaster RÚV, stated that the country would still participate in the 2024 contest.[51] Two days later, the board of the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland (FTT) sent Stefán a formal request that RÚV withdraw from the event unless Israel is excluded "on the same grounds as Russia in the last competition", stressing on human rights violations on the Israeli part.[52] On 18 December, activists of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement demonstrated outside the RÚV headquarters and Stefán agreed to meet them, with the group handing him a petition reiterating the request.[53][54] Shortly after, the Icelandic branch of OGAE joined calls for the broadcaster to withdraw.[55] In 2019, when the contest was held in Tel Aviv, RÚV was fined for political content after its representatives Hatari displayed banners featuring the Palestinian flag during the final. Izhar Cohen, winner of the 1978 contest for Israel, recalled the incident on 21 December during a talk show segment on Channel 13 in light of the 2023 protests, furthermore accusing Icelandic BDS activists of antisemitism and believing "pro-Palestinian propaganda".[56] RÚV was also among those calling for the exclusion of Russia in 2022.
  • Ireland – By mid-December 2023, Irish broadcaster RTÉ had received over 465 emails similarly urging it to boycott the event if Israel is permitted to compete, accusing the Israeli government of using it to portray the country in a positive light "despite the years of occupation and violence against Palestine"; RTÉ responded by stating that it had always approached the event as "a non-political contest designed to unite audiences and bring people together", arguing that no other broadcaster had expressed the intention to boycott it.[57] On 25 December, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stated his opposition to calls for Ireland to boycott the contest due to Israel's participation.[58]
  • Finland – On 19 December 2023, Finnish broadcaster Yle's head of creative content and media Ville Vilén [fi] stated that the broadcaster had discussed the Israel–Hamas war situation with other Nordic broadcasters and monitored the EBU's stance, while also commenting that the war is not comparable to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[59] The following day, Yle posted through the Instagram account of its Eurovision national final Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) that, while UMK would be held regardless of Finland's participation in Eurovision, the broadcaster was "closely following the situation in the Middle East" and holding discussions with the EBU and other Nordic broadcasters, suggesting the possibility of withdrawing.[60][61] In January 2024, a petition was signed by Finnish to demand the broadcaster's withdrawal.[62][63] Yle was also among those calling for the exclusion of Russia in 2022.
  • United Kingdom and Czechia – After Olly Alexander was revealed as the UK entrant for the 2024 contest in mid-December 2023, it emerged that in October the singer had signed a letter by LGBT association Voices4London, which accused Israel of committing apartheid against Palestinians and "Zionist propaganda" of pinkwashing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories;[64] the Israeli embassy in London, as well as spokespeople of the Israeli government in the UK, criticised Alexander's views as "biased" and the BBC for "sending an entrant to Eurovision who espouses [...] partial views of Israel and promotes [...] dehumanising language of Israelis".[65][66][67] Shortly after, Czech broadcaster ČT's head of press Ahmad Halloun expressed his personal support for Alexander's stance.[68] The BBC commented that it was not in a position to cut ties with someone who is not a journalist over their personal use of social media, thereby confirming Alexander as the 2024 UK representative.[69]

At Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consist of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. All nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final will progress to the final. On 30 January 2024, an allocation draw will be held to determine which of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show, each country will perform in; the EBU splits up the competing countries into different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.[70]

Notes

  1. ^ On 26 December, Greenglick, serving as a captain in the IDF, was confirmed to have been killed in action in the Gaza Strip.[28]
  2. ^ a b Maimon was absent from the audition.

References

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