Germany Criticizes Calls to Boycott Eurovision Over Israel’s Participation

TDT | Manama

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Germany’s Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer has criticized threats by several European countries to boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates, describing such moves as politicizing a cultural event.

Earlier this week, Spain announced it would boycott the world’s largest live televised music competition in May if Israel takes part. Similar threats have come from Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands. Austria, the host country for the 2026 contest, expressed regret over the boycott calls on Friday. Other nations, including Belgium, Sweden, and Finland, are also considering a boycott, with a final decision due by December.

“Eurovision was founded to bring nations together through music. Excluding Israel today goes against this fundamental idea and turns a celebration of understanding between peoples into a tribunal,” Weimer said in a statement. He emphasized that Eurovision, born in the aftermath of war, should remain a platform for inclusion rather than exclusion. “The culture of cancellation is not the solution — the solution is diversity and cohesion,” he added.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, is scheduled to decide Israel’s participation at its general assembly in December.

The 2025 edition in Basel, Switzerland, attracted 166 million viewers across 37 countries. Pro-Palestinian activists staged protests in Malmö, Sweden, and in Basel earlier this year over Israel’s involvement, amid heightened tensions following Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

The conflict began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, killing 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to AFP. Israel’s retaliatory operations have resulted in at least 65,174 deaths, largely among civilians, figures the United Nations considers reliable.