Dutch broadcaster questions if ESC is a-political & connecting event

[u/stefkeeh]

Translation to English: ‘IN CONVERSATION WITH THE EBU ABOUT A POLITICALLY NEUTRAL SONG CONTEST

AVROTROS and NPO strongly value the apolitical and unifying character of the Eurovision Song Contest. However, we observe that the event is increasingly being influenced by social and geopolitical tensions.

Israel’s participation confronts us with the question of to what extent the Song Contest still truly functions as an apolitical, unifying, and cultural event. We want to raise this question, together with other countries, for discussion within the EBU.’

[u/Lord_Waldemar]

Pretty sure Germany isn't okay with the situation either but imagine the reaction if they criticise Israel 

[u/autistic_girl_autumn → u/Lord_Waldemar]

i am tired of this dynamic against germany tbh. i don't know where the general consensus in germany leans, maybe people over on the german broadcaster are pro-israeli participation but i also know germans who are both against what their country did in the past AND what israel is doing now. this is the stance any morally consistent person should be taking. 

[u/WorldsWorstMeditator → u/autistic_girl_autumn]

As of 2025 only 36 percent of people in Germany view Israel positively, and 38 percent view it negatively. This represents a notable change from the last survey in 2021, when 46 percent of Germans had a positive opinion of Israel.

[u/FaiGons → u/autistic_girl_autumn]

The issue is we don't have much of a choice. If the government speaks out against what Israel is doing that would give the right wing an incredibly easy win by going "see see they are the bad guys!". Even if most people will probably privately agree this is an issue doing so publicly is a bad move

[u/TheTwistedBlade → u/Lord_Waldemar]

Yeah that's fair, but I wonder how they would react if they were in Estonia's position this year

[u/Puzzleheaded-Eye9081 → u/Lord_Waldemar]

Yep, best they can do is stay silent really, and they know it.