“It wouldn’t be right to screen Eurovision”: Panti Bliss On Why He’s Boycotting Contest Over Israel
by Odhran-J-McAnnick
“It wouldn’t be right to screen Eurovision”: Panti Bliss On Why He’s Boycotting Contest Over Israel
by Odhran-J-McAnnick
11 comments
Ok
Well that’s my bit of publicity done.
He must be ninety at this stage.
For analysis on Israel – European relations I will now hand you over to our Middle East correspondent….check notes…Panti Bliss.
It seems that the majority of people in Ireland don’t support boycotting the Eurovision but those same people I would suspect, supported kicking Russia out when they invaded Ukraine. These symbolic gestures are really all we have.
I mean, when Israel killed volunteers from other competing countries in the World Central Kitchen airstrike just a month ago, it sparked further calls especially from the UK for a boycott or for Israel to be kicked out entirely. But really, with the sheer scale of war crimes being committed by Israel, and the song having its roots in the October 7th attacks, its amazing they have remained in the contest at all this year. Israel must have the EBU by the balls with their broadcasting partnership. But its not a good look for the contest.
At the very least change the channel when Israel comes on.
Ultimately, I think it’s up to each individual to make the choice themselves, but you don’t get to force that choice onto people who disagree. If you don’t want to watch, then it’s super simple to not watch.
Personally, I feel a boycott would genuinely achieve nothing. It wouldn’t even be noticed on the grander stage since 9 years out of 10, we don’t even appear on the main show anyway. It wouldn’t be referenced on the show at all. I don’t believe Israel should be allowed perform but I also think a boycott achieved nothing either.
Make your choice and if you choose to personally boycott the show, fair fucks. But it’s not on you to bully people into it either.
Side comment but Panti co-hosting the Eurovision song selection show a few years ago was incredibly shit.
Oh no.
Then don’t watch it or air it in your bar, mate if that’s the case……….
“It’s our Olympics”. No Rory, the Olympics are everyone’s Olympics. Lots of “the gays” (Rory’s words) love sport. Lots don’t care for the Eurovision song contest.
It’s because ww are all individual human beings whose interests are not defined or confined by our sexuality, and whose existence defies your pathetic stereotyping.