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The Debate © France 24
41:35
Issued on: 13/05/2026 - 20:11
From the show
Eurovision has hit a "bum note" over the participation of Israel in this year's song contest. Demonstrations are planned in Vienna against the presence of Noam Bettan and his song "Michelle." He succeeded in getting through the semi final 24 hours ago, but his appearance was greeted by chants of "Stop the Genocide." Five nations who usually take part have pulled out in protest, including serial Eurovision winners Ireland. The Netherlands, Spain and Iceland are the others.
The question is should politics and culture be kept separate? Is that even possible? Beyond that comes the question of whether or not one can criticise Israel or Zionism without then facing accusations of being an Anti-Semite, Anti-Jewish. It is clear that many view Israel's military operation in Gaza and the West Bank as a genocide. But should this mean a singer can't take part in the Eurovision showcase event? We point out that Israel's war on Gaza is the reaction to the Hamas attack that killed at least 1,500 people, with 250 taken hostage. That clearly was an atrocity. Isn't Eurovision an escape from reality? Or are there some realities we cannot escape from?
Produced by Mark Owen, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Guillaume Gougeon, Margot Loizillon.
English (US) · 