No EBU member has expressed official resentment οver Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024!
In a quiet but significant revelation, it is confirmed that there have been no official complaints from any member-broadcaster regarding Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. The statement was made by Bakel Walden, the current chair of the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group, during an interview on the ESC Insight podcast.
Walden explained that the decision regarding Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision 2024 was straightforward, emphasizing that as long as a broadcaster follows the rules, they are eligible to participate. He clarified that despite some differing opinions on social media and from certain delegations, there was no formal objection from any EBU member:
It was very simple. They [KAN] are a member of EBU, and it has been expressed many times by the EBU that as long as you play by the rules, you are eligible to participate. That was the case for KAN, and they are eligible. There were obviously different opinions in social media, we’ve heard from delegations, etc., but at the end of the day, there was not one single member of the EBU who expressed any official resentment.
Russia vs. Israel: A Different Scenario
The comparison between Russia’s disqualification from the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest due to the invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s ongoing participation was inevitable. However, Walden stressed that the circumstances surrounding the two countries are fundamentally different. He pointed out that Russia’s exclusion was related to its state broadcaster engaging in propaganda that violated the values of the EBU, whereas Israel’s situation is distinct.
There’s a clear difference between a state broadcaster that is just following propaganda, which is not actually playing by the rules and values of the EBU.
KAN itself has been in a difficult situation, also with the Israeli government. There is a different situation in how they position themselves, but I absolutely acknowledge that me and the Reference Group have been very much aware that the difference hasn’t been clear and hasn’t been accepted by a lot of people.
Walden further acknowledged that the EBU had not communicated this distinction clearly or transparently in the past, and that this lack of clarity has contributed to confusion and controversy. He called this a “learning experience for the EBU and the Reference Group“.
Walden’s comments effectively put to rest rumors that certain broadcasters had expressed a desire to withdraw from Eurovision 2024 due to Israel’s participation before or during the contest. The decision reaffirms that as long as a broadcaster is a member of the EBU and adheres to the rules, they are welcome to take part in the competition.
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