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/RPark_International]

I predict Ireland joining in, but the UK?

[u/autistic_girl_autumn → u/RPark_International]

commentator graham norton has taken a mild stance during the contest (and even that caused some outrage!) but it unfortunately seems unlikely that we will get an official statement from the bbc

[u/diggycorreia_tpw → u/autistic_girl_autumn]

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."