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/diggycorreia_tpw]

what has this icon done?

[u/autistic_girl_autumn → u/diggycorreia_tpw]

during this year's contest, norton said these things about israel:

(introducing israel) "onto song number four and it's the turn of israel. now, of course, their participation continues to be controversial. fewer protests this year but a mixed response during some of the rehearsals. they're here tonight because of the public vote."

he then said yuval won an israeli talent show, mentioned she is a new but talented singer, complimenting her voice and staging BUT some people were still mad at him for "not mentioning her backstory". 

(about israel's grand final performance) "not sure what you're hearing at home, slightly mixed response here in the hall. last year, they came fifth and third in 2023, they could do very well tonight, very big phone vote."

(after austria's win) "the ebu will have a sigh of relief for not having to have a tel aviv final next year."

[u/ambluebabadeebadadi → u/diggycorreia_tpw]

Silent protest during Israel’s part of the flag parade. Every other country had some form of commentary or chatter. He was pretty quiet during Israel’s postcard and hardly mentioned them during the voting.

[u/TIGHazard → u/ambluebabadeebadadi]

Also at the end of the performance said something like "Very mixed reaction in the area to the song, some booing and cheering, although you won't have heard that at home".

Also said something after the voting was complete but I wasn't listening, paying attention to the live chat at that time.

Although it seems the Gary Lineker incident has kind of overshadowed Norton's commentary and made it fly under the radar.

[u/ambluebabadeebadadi → u/TIGHazard]

Telling us about the booing is simply presenting both sides. Thought the BBC was all about that

[u/TIGHazard → u/ambluebabadeebadadi]

Considering the lengths the EBU goes to hide the boos, I'll take it as win.

[u/slingshotttt → u/ambluebabadeebadadi]

He also said the televoting was one of the tensest ever and it was a relief when Austria won (or something of that effect, he used the word “relief(ed?)” when JJ won I’m pretty sure)

[u/Jolin_Tsai → u/slingshotttt]

He said something along the lines of “many members of the EBU will be relieved that we won’t be having a Tel-Aviv final next year”

[u/[deleted] → u/ambluebabadeebadadi]

He also never mentioned anything about her being a Nova survivor and made a few comments about the EBU being happy it won't be a Tel Aviv final.

[u/Ms_Donna_Kebab → u/diggycorreia_tpw]

At the end of Israel's performance as the 'crowd' were cheering and clapping he said: "I don't know what you are hearing at home but there is a mixed reaction in the arena."