Eurovision is not just a song contest; it is a political event, and it always will be. The festival was born in the 1950s as a bridge of peace between countries that had suffered the horrors of World War II. Its mission was simple: foster friendship among peoples through culture and music.
Today, that spirit is for sale, exploited by those who seek to whitewash the crimes of Zionism. Israel’s participation, given the occupation and ongoing human rights violations in Palestine, is fundamentally incompatible with Eurovision’s founding principles. Commercial interests have clearly taken priority: economic gain outweighs cultural ethics. Sponsors like Moroccan Oil have succeeded, transforming Eurovision from a showcase of peace into a stage for marketing and war crimes normalization.
In response, Spain and several other countries have withdrawn from this year’s edition in a move of dignity and ethical consistency. This is not a whimsical boycott; it is a strong statement that international cultural events cannot normalize occupation or ignore human rights abuses. Just as in sports, where nations violating international norms can face sanctions, Eurovision too carries political and symbolic weight. Allowing Israel to compete during an active conflict sends the dangerous message that certain abuses are compatible with “European entertainment.”
Moral consistency must take precedence over profit and spectacle. Music and entertainment wield influence, but with influence comes responsibility. Withdrawing from the contest is a symbolic act that emphasizes Eurovision should remain a platform of respect, peace, and solidarity, not merely a commercial runway.
Eurovision will never be apolitical, because it was never meant to be. Claiming that politics should be kept out of Eurovision is, ironically, a political stance itself.