Icelandic musicians have demanded the nation boycotts the Eurovision Song Contest except Israel is banned from collaborating.
The Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland (FTT), which represents artists within the nation, says it desires the nation’s nationwide broadcaster RUV to halt its participation within the present if Israel stays within the competitors.
It echoes comparable calls from 2022, when many countries demanded Russia be banned over its invasion of Ukraine.
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The FTT stated: “We all have an obligation to take a stand in opposition to battle and the killing of civilians and harmless kids.
“We always have the choice not to put our name to such things, whether we are individuals or state institutions.
“We owe it to the nations that act with navy pressure to not share with them in an occasion that’s at all times characterised by pleasure and optimism.”
RUV advised Sky News an illustration was as a result of happen outdoors its places of work on Monday afternoon over the difficulty.
Iceland has seen relative success within the contest in recent times, and lots of have prompt the nation’s Dadi Freyr would have gained the 2020 contest, had it not been cancelled. He got here fourth the next yr.
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Pro-Palestinian activists and teams have additionally referred to as for a boycott, whereas Ireland’s RTE can be reported to have acquired a whole lot of emails asking it to boycott subsequent yr’s contest.
Israel got here third within the 2023 contest, with Noa Kriel’s dance-pop tune Unicorn. Kriel had beforehand served as a soldier within the Israel Defence Forces.
Russia was finally banned from the competitors, with Ukraine successful later that yr with Kalush Orchestra, resulting in the 2023 version to be held in Liverpool.
Sky News has contacted the European Broadcast Union (EBU), the present’s organisers, together with Israeli public broadcaster Kan, for remark.
The EBU, an alliance of public service broadcasters, stated in an announcement to Irish on-line newspaper The Journal: “It is a competition for broadcasters – not governments – and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the Contest for 50 years.
“EBU is aligned with different worldwide organisations which have equally maintained their inclusive stance in direction of Israeli individuals in main competitions right now.”
Both Iceland and Israel have confirmed their participation for subsequent yr’s contest in Sweden, however haven’t chosen entries.
The BBC revealed on Saturday that Olly Alexander of pop band Years and Years will characterize the UK at subsequent yr’s contest.
The UK, represented by Mae Muller, got here second to final within the 2023 contest in Liverpool, with Sweden’s Loreen successful for a second time.
Source: information.sky.com”