Norway: NRK will not boycott Israel’s entry in Eurovision 2024!

During the presentation of artists for MGP 2024, a group of 20 individuals demonstrated outside the central offices of the Norwegian Public Broadcaster NRK. They demanded the boycott of Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in May in Malmö. Both the host of MGP 2024 and an NRK representative stated that the Norwegian Public Broadcaster would not seek Israel’s removal from Eurovision 2024. 

Fredrik Solvang, the host of MGP 2024 commented on the demonstration, stating that he does not support boycotting Israel in Eurovision 2024. He explained that such a decision would place him in a challenging position as a host, highlighting the inherent difficulty for a television station to adopt a stance amid an ongoing conflict, particularly when providing journalistic coverage. According to him, only the Norwegian government could make such a decision and call for a boycott of Israel in all international events, similar to what happened with Russia. Nevertheless, such a scenario has not unfolded and appears unlikely in the foreseeable future.

In the same manner, Charlo Halvorsen, the entertainment editor at NRK, conveyed a similar viewpoint:

“NRK cannot seek a cultural boycott. It is not within our mandate as a broadcasting entity. It would be entirely impossible for us. We cover conflicts in the Middle East, and if, as a broadcasting company, we were to take a position in a conflict, it would compromise our integrity.”

On the contrary, Margaret Berger, one of the participants in MGP 2024 and Norway’s representative in Eurovision 2013, where she came in fourth place with “I Feed You My Love” showed her support for the demonstrators and their requests. She expressed particular concern about Israel’s participation in the competition.

MGP 2024 details

This year’s Melodi Gran Prix will remain in the same format as last year, as there will be no duels or second chance rounds. Three artists will qualify from each semi-final in which only the Norwegian TV audience will vote, while the final will for once again feature an international jury that will determine 40% of the result.

The songs will be published each Monday before the semi-final in which they are to compete. Melodi Grand Prix 2024 will take place at the Spectrum in Trondheim with Marion Ravn and Fredrik Solvang as hosts. The schedule is as follows:

• First Semi-Final: January 13th
• Second Semi-Final: January 20st
• Third Semi-Final: January 27th
• Grand Final: February 3rd

The previous MGP winner and Norway’s representative at Eurovision 2023 was Alessandra with her song “Queen of Kings” and finished 5th in the Grand Final. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUHSM_vTqTI

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun.com for all the news regarding the Norwegian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: vg1, vg2