Eurovision organisers have responded to calls for a debate around the participation of Israeli public broadcaster Kan.
Last year’s singing competition was mired in controversy and the participation of Israeli contestant, Eden Golan, in the wake of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, was a frayed point of debate.
Spanish broadcaster RTVE said it had written to the director-general of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Noel Curran, requesting the opening of a ‘debate’ to be held within the organisation ahead of this year’s competition, taking place in Basel, Switzerland in May.
In response, the EBU said it appreciated there are concerns about the ‘current conflict in the Middle East’ and remains ‘in constant contact with those participating this year’.
An English translation on the RTVE website said: ‘RTVE conveys its commitment to the EBU, but also acknowledges the concerns raised by various civil society groups in Spain regarding the situation in Gaza and the participation of the public television station Kan in the competition.’
It went on: ‘RTVE believes it would be appropriate for the EBU to recognise the existence of this debate and facilitate a space for reflection among EBU member broadcasters on the participation of Israeli public television station Kan.’
A statement on the EBU website said: ‘We welcome RTVE confirming their commitment to the Eurovision Song Contest and appreciate there are concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East.
‘All Members of the EBU are eligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest and we remain in constant contact with those participating this year, including RTVE, on all aspects of the Contest.’
Kan is a member of the EBU and this year has put forward as its entrant Yuval Raphael, who will perform the song New Day Will Rise.
Last year, the EBU faced immense controversy over the inclusion of Israel following the ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed more than 50,000 Palestinian people following the October 7 attacks, when Hamas kidnapped more than 250 people and killed 1,200.
Israeli entrant Eden Golan was asked to redo her song October Rain, which appeared to be a reference to Hamas launching an attack on Israel in October 2023, and she entered the competition with Hurricane.
The national broadcaster for Israel later claimed its delegation faced ‘an unprecedented display of hatred’ from other countries and their entrants during the competition, after weeks of artists such as Bambie Thug and Years & Years singer Olly being urged by fans to boycott.
The behind-the-scenes drama also saw Italy’s act Angelina Mango and Bambie among contestants speaking out about tensions off-stage.
After taking home the win and breaking their trophy, Nemo blasted Eurovision organisers and took aim at bosses, saying: ‘The trophy can be fixed – maybe Eurovision needs fixing a little bit too, every now and then.’
The organisers subsequently announced an internal review and a code of conduct that will help ‘protect’ the wellbeing of artists for this year’s contest.
Last year’s international singing competition also saw the disqualification of Netherlands’s contestant Joost Klein over an ‘incident’ where he was alleged to have made verbal threats to a female production worker. Swedish prosecutors later dropped the criminal case against him.
Following a win by Switzerland’s Nemo with the operatic-dance track The Code, the contest is being held in Basel this year, with Remember Monday representing the UK.
The grand final of Eurovision will take place in St Jakobshalle on May 17, with the semi-finals on May 13 and 15.
The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final airs on Saturday, May 17, and will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The PA News Agency has approached Kan for comment.
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