A set of artists set to perform at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest – including England's Olly Alexander – have issued a statement defending their participation amid calls to boycott Israel's participation in this year's contest.
In recent weeks, groups ranging from the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel to Queers for Palestine — which specifically called Alexanderwho previously said Israel was an 'apartheid state', only to withdraw – tried to kick Israel out of Eurovision because of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In a statement on Friday (via NME), Eurovision artists from countries including Ireland, Denmark, Switzerland, Portugal and the UK's Alexander rallied in response to growing calls for a boycott, stating: “We strongly believe in the unifying power of music, which allows people transcend differences and encourages meaningful conversations and connections.”
“In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza and Israel, we do not feel comfortable remaining silent,” said the statement shared on Alexander's social media.
“It is important for us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt desire for peace, an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the safe return of all hostages. We stand united against all forms of hatred, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.”
The statement continued, “We feel it is our duty to create and maintain this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.”
Israel will be represented by Eden Golan's “October Rain” at the competition. The song has already undergone “necessary adjustments” to its lyrics — which referred to the victims of the October 7 Hamas attack — in order to ensure their participation in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
In February, a group including Gene Simmons of Kiss, Sharon Osbourne, Boy George and Diane Warren signed a Creative Community for Peace open letter in support of Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. This letter was in response to the many open letters from participating artist countries asking Israel to withdraw from the competition.
“Music unites people from all backgrounds,” the Creative Community for Peace statement said. “It is the only language that everyone can understand. It's a beautiful thing and a great way to bring people together. Those who support the exclusion of an Israeli singer from Eurovision are not moving the needle towards peace, but are dividing the world even more.”
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/olly-alexander-eurovision-performers-statement-boycott-israel-1234996421/
