\u201cI am appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages. Notwithstanding the fact that the criterion for participating in the Eurovision Song Contest is membership of the European Broadcasting Union, RT\u00c9 has nonetheless asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel\u2019s inclusion in the contest. <\/p>\n
In doing this, we are mindful of RT\u00c9\u2019s obligations as an independent, impartial public service news and current affairs provider, and of the need to maintain RT\u00c9\u2019s objectivity in covering the war in Gaza. We are also very mindful of the severe political pressure on Israel\u2019s public service broadcaster, Kan, from the Israeli government.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The broadcaster has confirmed in a press statement that the Director General and RT\u00c9\u2019s Director of Video, Steve Carson, met with the European Broadcasting Union to raise their concerns. The statement reads:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cFurther to the comments from RT\u00c9 Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst on Wednesday 7th May \u2013 included below \u2013 in which he asked the EBU for a discusion on Israel\u2019s inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest and to his confirmation yesterday that RT\u00c9 will not be withdrawing from this year\u2019s Eurovision, Kevin Bakhurst has confirmed that he, along with RT\u00c9\u2019s Director of Video, Steve Carson had a meeting today with the EBU and raised RT\u00c9\u2019s concerns. There is a commitment from the EBU to have a wider discussion amongst members in due course.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The broadcasters of Slovenia<\/a>,\u00a0Spain<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Iceland<\/a>, have all previously expressed concerns regarding Israel\u2019s participation in Eurovision 2025. Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green commented earlier this week that the EBU\u2019s role is to \u201ckeep the Eurovision Song Contest positive and inclusive\u201d:<\/p>\n
\nThe EBU is not immune to global events but, together, with our members, it is our role to ensure the contest remains \u2013 at its heart \u2013 a universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music.<\/p>\n
We all aspire to keep the Eurovision Song Contest positive and inclusive and aspire to show the world as it could be, rather than how it necessarily is.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Israel\u2019s participation in Eurovision has been a controversial topic since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023. Many artists and musicians in Europe have called for Israel to be excluded from the competition because of their involvement in military action.<\/p>\n
This year, over 70 Eurovision<\/a>-affiliated artists, including former winners, signed an open letter calling for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to bar Israel from participating. In addition, Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo<\/a> has questioned whether Israel\u2019s participation is \u201cat odds with the values that Eurovision claims to uphold\u201d.<\/p>\n
Image source: Daniel Stridh | Source: RT\u00c9<\/a><\/p>\n
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