In the letter, the artists began by stating that they recognize “the privilege of participating in Eurovision”, but that they do not feel “comfortable in remaining silent” given the “current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in particular in Gaza and Israel”.
In addition to the representative of Portugal, interpreters from Ireland, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Lithuania and Finland signed the letter.
At the time, the EBU recalled that the festival is an “apolitical” event. However, in 2022 it was decided to expel Russia from the competition following the invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Portuguese representative, Iolanda, appeared on the ‘turquoise runway’ (where representatives from all countries parade, thus marking the beginning of the competition’s live shows), in Malmö, wearing a dress from a brand Palestinian woman and her nails painted with the ‘keffiyeh’ pattern, a scarf that is a symbol of Palestinian resistance.
On Tuesday, the conflict was brought to the stage, during the opening number of the first semi-final, by singer Eric Saade, who represented Sweden in the contest in 2011 with “Popular”. Eric Saade, of Palestinian descent, sang with his left hand wrapped in a ‘keffiyeh’.
Israel was the first non-European country to participate in the music competition, in 1973, and has won four times, including with transgender singer Dana International, in 1998.
Tags: Israel batch finalists Eurovision Song Contest Thousands protested Sweden
