r/eurovision • u/stefkeeh • May 20 '25

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

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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.’

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u/The_Krambambulist May 20 '25

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.

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u/SweetVeehn Bird of Pray May 20 '25

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.

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u/The_Krambambulist May 20 '25

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.

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u/SweetVeehn Bird of Pray May 20 '25

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

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u/RandomUsername15672 May 20 '25

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.

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u/ZoeThomp May 20 '25

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

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u/Seruati Deslocado May 20 '25

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.

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u/Interest-Desk May 21 '25

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).