10 000 signatories demand exclusion of Israel from Eurovision
19/03/2024, 11:14Press release, February 20, 2024
Ten thousand signatories appeal to the Finnish Broadcasting Company: exclude Israel from Eurovision or withdraw Finnish representative
Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network has submitted a petition to the Finnish Broadcasting Company, known as Yle, demanding that the organization push for Israel’s exclusion from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. The petition, opened on January 24, has received a total of 10,153 verified signatures by the time of delivery.
In the petition, signatories demand that Yle put pressure on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest. In case Israel nevertheless participates, signatories demand that Yle boycott the event by not sending a Finnish representative to the competition. The Eurovision final will take place in Malmö, Sweden on Saturday, May 11.
“It is not in accordance with our values that a country that commits war crimes and continues a military occupation is given a public platform to polish its image in the name of music”, the petition submitted to Yle reads. “At the same time other participating countries end up giving their support to Israel’s policies”.
Israel, which has been attacking Gaza since October 2023, is currently facing genocide charges in the United Nations (UN) International Court of Justice (ICJ). On January 26, the court issued an interim ruling on the case, stating that the charges accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza are plausible. Releasing its decision, the court also reminded all states of their obligation to take measures to prevent genocide. Genocide is among the most serious crimes under international law.
The petition also notes that in 2022 Yle was among the first to demand the exclusion of Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest held in Turin, Italy following its attack on Ukraine. “We expect the same active defending of our values from Yle now, too,” the petition states.
Published on the Adressit.com website on January 24, the petition had collected 10,153 verified signatures by the time it was submitted on February 19. The petition campaign was organized by Sumud and the Vapaa Palestiina (Free Palestine) community. Only signatures verified by the organizers via the site have been accepted in the petition. The petition is still open for signatures.
A growing number of artists, activists and citizens across Europe have been calling for Israel’s exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest. In Finland, a group of local musicians approached Yle in January with a petition signed by more than 1,500 artists, demanding pressure on EBU to exclude Israel from Eurovision.
Additional information and interview requests
Lili De Paola, coordinator, Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network,
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