They couldn't resist breaking the rules lmao, but face no consequences, besides being mad about it
Israel has threatened to withdraw from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest if organizers decide to reject its entry amid wider calls for the country’s exclusion over its military campaign in Gaza.
The European Broadcasting Union is currently reviewing the lyrics of Israel’s entry, a song called “October Rain” by Russian-Israeli singer Eden Golan, which is thought to reference the victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks. If the EBU decides Israel has breached its rules by submitting content deemed political, the body will allow it to submit new lyrics or a new song.
Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation earlier said it has “no intention to replace the song” if it is not approved, warning that it will pull out of the contest scheduled for May in Malmö, Sweden. Israel’s culture minister has stated that while the song reflects “the current public sentiment in Israel these days,” that doesn’t make it “a political song.”
Israel became the first non-European nation to compete in Eurovision in 1973, and has since won the competition four times.
Call me cynical, but I reckon they fully expect to get booted from the show and are intentionally milking the situation for propaganda purposes back home.
This is a pretty common take in Eurovision discussion boards atm.
EBU doesn't want the controversy of taking a stance on the I/P conflict, but most Eurovision fans are pro-Palestine and a lot are threatening to boycott if Israel does compete. And KAN (which is in charge of Israel's entry) obv doesn't want the humiliation of a guaranteed last place and potential harassment/security issues for the musician they send. Giving Israel the boot over the song (which, if you read the lyrics, is actually pretty subtle on what it's referencing) is a win-win for everyone involved.
To many, even valid criticism on reality itself can be labeled as anti-semetic if it can quiet any valid criticism on anything they want.
I agree. It is a win-win. They stay, they get what they what, plus free victimhood PR... if they get kicked out, is not because they broke the rules, it is just because blatant antisemitism. They will twist it into victimhood PR, anyways. Prove me wrong.
Staying withing guidelines was never an option.
IDK nothing indicated they would be booted, they pretty prominently announced they wouldn't be restricting Israel from competing, to much controversy at that