A Eurovision like no other: Israel’s war on Gaza takes centre stage
7 months, 2 weeks ago

A Eurovision like no other: Israel’s war on Gaza takes centre stage

Al Jazeera  

Stockholm, Sweden - Malmo is rarely the centre of attention, but this week, the spotlight is on as the Eurovision Song Contest dominates Sweden's third-largest city. Israel is set to participate amid protests and calls for a boycott given its war on Gaza that has to date killed more than 34,500 Palestinians. Stop the war, Women's song for Gaza and Long live Palestine are among the more than 30 entries that can be voted for online, with a winner to be announced on May 11 - the same day as the Eurovision finale. Israel is participating with Hurricane – the song had previously been titled October Rain, an apparent reference to Hamas's October 7 attacks, which organisers deemed too political.

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History of this topic

Eurovision 2024: Social media outrage over participation of Israel ‘when Ukraine and Israel get most votes from…’
7 months, 1 week ago

Eurovision 2024: Social media outrage over participation of Israel ‘when Ukraine and Israel get most votes from…’

Live Mint  

One of the most popular music events in Europe, Eurovision 2024, was held in Malmo, Sweden on Saturday. As hundreds of musicians, journalists and music fans gathered at the Eurovision Song Contest, the so-called Olympics of pop music faced severe backlash because Israel participated in the competition amid the ongoing war against Hamas. The voice of thousands of pro-Palestine protesters …

Dutch broadcaster furious, fans bemused after Netherlands' Joost Klein is booted from Eurovision
7 months, 1 week ago

Dutch broadcaster furious, fans bemused after Netherlands' Joost Klein is booted from Eurovision

Hindustan Times  

MALMO, Sweden — A Dutch public broadcaster reacted angrily after the Netherlands’ contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from the competition hours before Saturday’s final over a backstage incident that is being investigated by police. Dutch broadcaster furious, fans bemused after Netherlands' Joost Klein is booted from Eurovision The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, said Swedish …

What do we want? A cheesy Eurovision Song Contest without the messy politics, please…
7 months, 1 week ago

What do we want? A cheesy Eurovision Song Contest without the messy politics, please…

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Greta Thunberg – whose opera-singing mother …

Why hasn't Israel been banned from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest like Russia was in 2022?
7 months, 1 week ago

Why hasn't Israel been banned from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest like Russia was in 2022?

ABC  

If there's one line Eurovision's organiser, the European Broadcasting Union, loves to trot out, it's that the song contest is an "apolitical" event that brings people across the world together with music. Eurovision's version of a red carpet event had a four-legged denim egg Photo shows Two people inside a denim-covered egg-like shell one wearing shorts, socks and sandals, the …

Dutch artist misses Eurovision rehearsal after 'incident', organisers say
7 months, 1 week ago

Dutch artist misses Eurovision rehearsal after 'incident', organisers say

Hindustan Times  

MALMO, Sweden, - Dutch singer Joost Klein was not allowed to participate in either of Friday's two rehearsals ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest following an "incident", the European Broadcasting Union, which organises the event, said in a statement. Klein, who had not participated in the first rehearsal on Friday, would also not be performing during the second dress rehearsal …

Dutch artist misses Eurovision rehearsal after 'incident', organisers say
7 months, 1 week ago

Dutch artist misses Eurovision rehearsal after 'incident', organisers say

Hindustan Times  

MALMO, Sweden -Dutch singer Joost Klein was not allowed to participate in either of Friday's two rehearsals ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest following an "incident", the European Broadcasting Union, which organises the event, said in a statement. Klein, who had not participated in the first rehearsal on Friday, would also not be performing during the second dress rehearsal scheduled …

How to watch (and stream) the Eurovision Song Contest final
7 months, 1 week ago

How to watch (and stream) the Eurovision Song Contest final

Associated Press  

MALMO, Sweden — Get out the glitter ball and put on your dancing shoes: It’s time to find out who will be crowned the 68th Eurovision Song Contest champion. Acts from more than two dozen countries will take the stage in Malmo, Sweden, on Saturday to compete for the continent’s pop music crown. Eurovision is an international pop music competition …

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march in Malmo against Israel's Eurovision participation
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march in Malmo against Israel's Eurovision participation

Hindustan Times  

MALMO, Sweden — Not everyone in Malmo was welcoming the Eurovision Song Contest to town. Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march in Malmo against Israel's Eurovision participation Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested in the Swedish port city on Thursday against Israel’s participation in the pan-continental pop competition. Palestinian flags fly from windows and balconies along a pedestrianized thoroughfare that has been …

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march in Malmo against Israel’s Eurovision participation
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march in Malmo against Israel’s Eurovision participation

Associated Press  

MALMO, Sweden — Not everyone in Malmo was welcoming the Eurovision Song Contest to town. People wave Palestinian flags during a Pro-Palestinian demonstration for excluding Israel from Eurovision ahead of the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Protesters hold a banner during a Pro-Palestinian demonstration for excluding Israel from Eurovision ahead of …

Eurovision explained, from ABBA to Zorra, as the Israel-Hamas war overshadows the song contest
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Eurovision explained, from ABBA to Zorra, as the Israel-Hamas war overshadows the song contest

Associated Press  

MALMO, Sweden — Scores of musicians, hundreds of journalists and thousands of music fans have gathered in Malmo, Sweden, where the Eurovision Song Contest is building towards Saturday’s exuberant, glitter-drenched final. Sarah Bonnici of Malta performs the song Loop during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The …

Thousands march in Sweden against Israel’s Eurovision participation
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Thousands march in Sweden against Israel’s Eurovision participation

LA Times  

A protester shouts into a megaphone during a demonstration advocating for Israel‘s exclusion from Eurovision ahead of the second semifinal at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, on Thursday. Protesters waving green, white and red Palestinian flags packed the historic Stortorget square near Malmo’s 16th century town hall before a planned march through the city for a rally in …

Israel qualifies for Eurovision final amid Gaza war protests
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Israel qualifies for Eurovision final amid Gaza war protests

Al Jazeera  

Israel has qualified for this weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest grand finale, defying thousands of demonstrators marching in host country Sweden over the Gaza war. Singer Eden Golan performed her song “Hurricane” in Thursday’s second semifinal in front of 9,000 spectators at the host city’s Malmo Arena and booked her place in the final thanks to viewers’ votes. As she prepared …

The Eurovision Song Contest kicked off with pop and protests as the war in Gaza casts a shadow
7 months, 2 weeks ago

The Eurovision Song Contest kicked off with pop and protests as the war in Gaza casts a shadow

Associated Press  

MALMO, Sweden — Competition in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday in Sweden, with the war in Gaza casting a shadow over the sequin-spangled pop extravaganza. They include Croatian singer-songwriter Baby Lasagna, whose infectious electro number “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” is the current favorite to win, and Ukrainian duo alyona alyona and Jerry Heil, flying the flag for …

Eurovision organisers respond to calls for Israel boycott ahead of song contest final
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Eurovision organisers respond to calls for Israel boycott ahead of song contest final

The Independent  

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Eurovision Song Contest organisers have stood by their decision not to …

Olly Alexander cries as he addresses Eurovision controversy over Israel
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Olly Alexander cries as he addresses Eurovision controversy over Israel

The Independent  

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Olly Alexander reportedly broke down in tears during an interview where …

Organizers of Eurovision Song Contest ready to remove Palestinian flags or symbols
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Organizers of Eurovision Song Contest ready to remove Palestinian flags or symbols

Associated Press  

GENEVA — Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest said Thursday they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols at the show next week in Sweden. The glitzy gala, which draws hundreds of millions of viewers each year, is held this year from May 7-11 in Malmo in southern Sweden, following last year’s victory by Loreen for …

Protests, heightened terror threat mean tight security at Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden
8 months ago

Protests, heightened terror threat mean tight security at Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden

Associated Press  

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Security will be tight during next month’s Eurovision Song Contest in the southern Sweden city of Malmo, police said Wednesday, citing demonstrations that could lead to unrests and a heightened threat of terrorism in the Scandinavian country. Last year Sweden heightened its terror threat level one notch to “high,” the fourth of five levels, for the first …

Palestinian singer running to represent Iceland at Eurovision contest
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Palestinian singer running to represent Iceland at Eurovision contest

Al Jazeera  

Bashar Murad said he wants to use his song to ‘illustrate’ the difficulties Palestinians face in order to be heard. Palestinian pop singer Bashar Murad is hoping to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest in May and bring “a Palestinian voice to the main stage”. Murad is competing in the national final with a song co-written by Einar Stefansson …

From Berlinale to Eurovision, anger over Gaza clouds Europe's cultural events
10 months ago

From Berlinale to Eurovision, anger over Gaza clouds Europe's cultural events

Firstpost  

Sanzgiri’s is one of at least three films that were withdrawn by their creators, while other events at the festival also saw artists pulling out Indian-American filmmaker Suneil Sanzgiri was set to showcase his film about anti-colonial resistance against the Portuguese empire at this month’s Berlinale film festival but dropped out. Sanzgiri’s is one of at least three films that …

Israel picks Eurovision 2024 contestant amid calls for boycott
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Israel picks Eurovision 2024 contestant amid calls for boycott

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Eurovision Song Contest is …

Israel should be disqualified from Eurovision 2024: European politicians
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Israel should be disqualified from Eurovision 2024: European politicians

Al Jazeera  

Political figures pen angry letter to Eurovision organisers saying Israel should be excluded for its war in Gaza. The organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest are under increasing pressure to exclude Israel from this year’s competition as it wages a devastating war on Gaza. More than 20 politicians wrote to the European Broadcasting Union on Tuesday saying Israel’s participation in …

Eurovision rejects calls for Israel to be banned from 2024 show despite boycott threats
1 year ago

Eurovision rejects calls for Israel to be banned from 2024 show despite boycott threats

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. As some UK politicians call for a “sustainable ceasefire” …

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