Swedish musicians demand ban on Israel’s participation in Eurovision

Over 1,000 musicians from Sweden, the host country for 2024 Eurovision, have signed an open letter urging Israel’s exclusion from this year’s contest amid the ongoing warfare in Gaza.

The letter — which was published in Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet and translated by The Guardian — asserts that by including Israel in this year’s Eurovision, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) reveals “a remarkable double standard that undermines the organisation’s credibility.”

The letter continues: “The fact that countries that place themselves above humanitarian law are welcomed to participate in international cultural events trivialises violations of international law and makes the suffering of the victims invisible.”

The many signatories include artists such as Robyn and Fever Ray, from indie-folk duo First Aid Kit, and former Eurovision contests from Sweden such as Eric Saade and mezzo-soprano opera singer Malena Ernman, the mother of activist Greta Thunberg.

Monday’s open letter follows a similar petition signed by nearly 1,400 Nordic artists from Iceland and Finland who implored for Israel’s exclusion from the song contest.

EBU — who oversee the Eurovision song contest — responded to the petition with the announcement vetoing Israel’s exclusion, highlighting the contest’s original mission to keep the competition between public service broadcasters rather than countries.

The announcement has been criticised as states have been excluded from Eurovision in past years. Just two years ago, in 2022, EBU banned Russia from participating in the contest. After initially insisting that Russia would be allowed to compete, the union executive board reconsidered with the final decision to exclude the state. In 2021, Belarus was excluded from the event after EBU ousted Belarusian public broadcaster BTRC due to violations of the union’s press freedom regulations.

There is still uncertainty over whether Monday’s open letter will issue a response from EBU, but it raises the potential for escalation from other state contestants. Iceland’s national broadcaster, RÚV, has said its decision to either participate or boycott this year’s Eurovision will be made by the winner of its national competition, Söngvakeppnin, in March.

This spring, thirty-seven broadcasters are scheduled to perform in the 68th edition of the Eurovision song contest. The event will take place in Malmö, Sweden from 7 to 11 May.