Following calls to withdraw and boycott the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel's inclusion amid the ongoing war in Gaza, All Alexander explained why he will continue to compete in the annual competition on Friday (March 29).
In a statement posted on his Instagram, Alexander responded to the group of activists Queers for Palestine, who wrote the singer an open letter asking him to withdraw from the competition. “I wholeheartedly support action to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages, and the safety and security of all civilians in Palestine and Israel,” he wrote. “I know some will choose to boycott this year's Eurovision and I understand and respect their decision.”
The 'Dizzy' singer continued, saying he took “a lot of time to think” about the right course of action and decided that pulling out of Eurovision “wouldn't bring us any closer to our shared goal”. Alexander said he and several other contestants talked and decided that “by participating we can use our platform to come together and call for peace.”
Inside original open letterQueers for Palestine applauded Alexander's “vision of queer joy and abundance that you offered through your music and sharing your belief in collective liberation for all” and then asked him to “heed the Palestinian call to withdraw from Eurovision… There cannot be a party with a state that commits apartheid and genocide.”
Alexander also shared a statement from a group of other Eurovision entrants — signed by himself, Ireland's Bambie Thug, Norway's Gåte, Portugal's Iolanda, San Marino's Megara, Switzerland's Nemo, Denmark's Saba, the Silvester Belt of Lithuania and Finland “Windows95Man” solidarity with the oppressed and we communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the safe return of all hostages.” They added that they felt “it is our duty to create and maintain this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.”
Queers for Palestine later responded to Alexander's decision, saying that while they “welcome” the responses from both the singer and his fellow contestants, they found both statements lacking. “When [Alexander et al] using that voice to downplay the genocide in Gaza by vaguely calling it a mere “situation” abuses their power. When they choose to ignore the call for a boycott of the largest Palestinian coalition, in historic Palestine and in exile, they risk joining the people who are being occupied and slaughtered and are asking for our solidarity.”
This is not the first time Alexander has shared his thoughts on the ongoing war in Gaza. Shortly before being announced as a Eurovision 2024 entrant, the singer signed an October 2023 open letter from LGBTQ activist group Voices4 London is calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and describing Israel as an “apartheid regime”. After Alexander was announced as the UK representative for the annual competition, a Conservative Party source spoke The Daily Telegraph to criticize the BBC for choosing the singer to represent the UK, calling the decision “either a huge oversight or sheer brass necking by the BBC”.
Read both of Olly Alexander's full statements below:
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/olly-alexander-rejects-boycott-eurovision-calls-1235644772/
