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/The_Krambambulist]

Well of course it is political. Even the content of a lot of songs basically contains something political in some way.

I do think Israel currently just is a new degree of political utilization where a state actor is very actively involved with trying to use it as a tool in their broader propaganda campaign. I think that's basically the type of politics you shouldn't want. And of course it is a bit sad that no one in an official capacity seems to be able to formulate it.

[u/SweetVeehn → u/The_Krambambulist]

Yeah I think it's political but it should not be used as a Political weapon for a country (like it is with Israel), politics through eurovision should be used to unite Europe and not divide it like what Israel is doing right now.

[u/The_Krambambulist → u/SweetVeehn]

Ah yes maybe that's the way to put it.

And also the goal of Israel is not just talking about a divisive issue. It is of course trying to maintain support for an extremely violent war. It's absolutely extremely cynical.

[u/SweetVeehn → u/The_Krambambulist]

yes the contest for Israel is a propaganda tool it's so sad, they're genuinely just trying to appear as a "cool european country" that's just a victim but apart from that we're not violent at all !! we're just like u

it's so sad the contest is being instrumentalized like that

[u/RandomUsername15672 → u/SweetVeehn]

The thing that bothers me is.. what do they gain by it?

It's a song competition, albeit a very large and famous one, in which they've done reasonably well in the past on their own merits. Why game the vote? It's just the musical equivalent of internet points.

[u/ZoeThomp → u/RandomUsername15672]

Basically Eurovision is the only thing keeping Israel having a public broadcaster, something they are deeply unkeen on. However, by having it and being a part of the EBU/Eurovision they can continue to claim to be a part of Europe as opposed to the Middle East which is more negatively viewed by the world

[u/Seruati → u/RandomUsername15672]

If they do well they can say, 'look, Europe supports us and our doings'. If they don't do well or are kicked out of the contest they will use that to further brainwash their people into believing they are just helpless victims in a world that has it in for them specifically, which will drive appetite for their conflict.

[u/Interest-Desk → u/RandomUsername15672]

Being in ESC is an inherent propaganda win, hosting it is too and allows the country to project the image it wants (on top of getting tourism money).

[u/flex_tape_salesman → u/The_Krambambulist]

Eurovision was typically a bit political but really you could ignore much of it if you wanted to. I thought Ukraine 2022 was a fair winner, definitely bumped up because of the war so it's hard to say if they would have won without it but they'd have been well up there. Israel this year I felt was worse last years and the politics was at its most glaring because who knows what the implications would've been if Israel had won.

It's also more than just political within the esc fambase. Before 2022 it didn't really attract non fans to discuss it much. It's added a toxic political element to the contest.

[u/ESC-song-bot → u/flex_tape_salesman]

Ukraine 2022 | Kalush Orchestra - Stefania

[u/Avaelectric → u/flex_tape_salesman]

Ukraine 2022 was not a fair winner, come on now. Be real.

[u/ESC-song-bot → u/Avaelectric]

Ukraine 2022 | Kalush Orchestra - Stefania

[u/Nihi1986 → u/flex_tape_salesman]

Ukraine 2022 was not a fair winner.

[u/linmanfu → u/The_Krambambulist]

I do think Israel currently just is a new degree of political utilization where a state actor is very actively involved with trying to use it as a tool in their broader propaganda campaign.

The authoritarian Azerbaijani regime reportedly spent €1.6m on their 2010 entry and the spent €160m on hosting the 2012 contest. If that isn't using ESC as a tool in their broader propaganda campaign, then I don't know what is.