Photo credits: © EBU / Sarah Louise Bennett Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2024 sparked much controversy. There were numerous calls for a boycott, and during the event, some artists made a point of showing their support for Palestine in the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
The organizers rigorously enforced the rules to keep politics at bay. Bambie Thug, representing Ireland, even stated that she received an ultimatum to remove a discreet message supporting Palestine and a ceasefire before the semi-final.
The decision to include Israel ultimately rested with the Eurovision Reference Group, which once included the Slovenian Miša Molk. For the Slovenian producer, it was a wrong decision, as she expressed to RTVSLO when asked if this could be the beginning of the end of the ESC as we know it:
– I think we are close. Although being deceived with bread and games is deceiving and misleading . It also humiliates those who have no bread, who have no roof over their heads, who have no water, who have no life. For this reason, I believe that it can no longer remain in this form and that the glorification of war crimes through music is regrettable”.
Despite the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) imposing some prohibitions during the ESC 2024, such as the display of pro-Palestinian symbols to some extent, Miša Molk believes the organization fell short: “There were several prohibitions, only the most necessary ones were not. Those that could have been expected, for example, Israel not participating or the event being canceled this year, so there were several possibilities. The EBU tried hard to prevent any conflicts, but…”.
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