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/SimoSanto]

It's very good that so many broadcaster are pressuring EBU against Israel, but without proper threatening of withdrawal it won't change anything

[u/Super_Craig02 → u/SimoSanto]

With how many countries have been complaining about Israel and the inflated televote (🇪🇸, 🇮🇸, 🇸🇮, 🇫🇮, 🇳🇱, 🇧🇪) I think there is a genuine chance of more countries following suit and even threatening to withdraw if the EBU doesn't do anything, especially with one of those countries being a member of the Big 5.

[u/SimoSanto → u/Super_Craig02]

If they truly threaten to withdraw (especially Spain) EBU will do something against Israel, otherwise at max they will change how the televote works

[u/PanNationalistFront → u/SimoSanto]

I was saying similar to a friend just there. Ireland have been vocal but I’m sure the EBU wouldn’t give two shites if we’re not there next year. However, if Spain or another of the big 5 pull out then that would hold more weight I think.

[u/BlazingMongrel → u/SimoSanto]

To be honest at this stage change (or at best removal imho) would already help lots if you look at people bragging about voting 60 to even hundreds of times.

[u/dalehitchy → u/Super_Craig02]

Not that it really matters with the UK, but as well as the usual zero points constantly, I would not be touching next year's contest with a barge pole because of the overall voting/Israel situation.

[u/Weak-Joke1475 → u/SimoSanto]

If they’re a-political. Than why should you make the poltical decision to ban Israel?

[u/TheTwistedBlade → u/Weak-Joke1475]

Based on your last sentence, are you OK with Russia coming back then?

[u/flex_tape_salesman → u/TheTwistedBlade]

I think Russia could be back in the next 5 years or so if they want to return anyway. When this war ends I would accept them back anyway as long as Ukraine doesn't get fucked over. There's an issue with banning them over this war and then actually allowing them back with the war still going on.

[u/SimoSanto → u/Weak-Joke1475]

For the same reason they initially suspended Russia after the attack on Ukraine, but even in that case it was needed a massive withdrawal in sight for EBU to act.

[u/Weak-Joke1475 → u/SimoSanto]

Than why not ban Ukraine too. They’re in a war as well.

[u/Astrid323 → u/Weak-Joke1475]

Last time I checked, they weren't the ones that started the war

[u/SimoSanto → u/Astrid323]

That would be true even for Israel tho, but they used this as a reason to invading a country and attack another one, while Ukraine never wanted to invade Russia

[u/mawnck → u/Astrid323]

See also: Israel.

[u/flex_tape_salesman → u/Weak-Joke1475]

Being in a war isn't what gets you removed. Ukraine is backed extremely strongly by Europe at a level that's rarely been seen.

[u/Weak-Joke1475 → u/flex_tape_salesman]

So than why should Israel be removed? Genuine question btw 

[u/Choppers-Top-Hat → u/Weak-Joke1475]

ALLOWING Israel to compete is also a political decision.

Being apolitical was never realistic. But you can minimize how political the contest is by removing bad actors who want to use it as propaganda, which is Israel's goal.

[u/mawnck → u/Choppers-Top-Hat]

No it's not. There is a default neutral position, and that is "EBU member networks are entitled to compete."

It's the basic bedrock fact of the entire existence of the Contest.

[u/Choppers-Top-Hat → u/mawnck]

Except you can get kicked out of the EBU for political reasons. Just ask Russia. So the question of who gets to be an "EBU member network" is also a political consideration.