Should Israel not compete in the European Song Contest?

^As as if all the subliminal hatred and anti-semitism buried in the subconscious of some people is being unleashed by this war.
Strangely I see very little of the same being expressed about Russian people by the war in Ukraine and of other atrocities around the world^

That’s an interesting point Callistemon21. People are happy (quite rightly) to acknowledge that the Russian people themselves are not all responsible for the actions of Putin. Yet, there seems to be a readiness to blame ‘all’ Jews for the actions of Netenyahu (apologies for spelling?). It certainly makes one think doesn’t it.

"I would say in the interests of promoting peace no country currently actively involved the invasion of another country should be permitted to enter the contest"

No - I think the wrangles and the infighting should this be the ruling would destroy a contest which strives for peaceful sharing.

Keep nationalist politics out of the songs is the way ahead. A lot of people do enjoy Eurovision and it remains despite all a way of bringing people together.

nanna8

Well that would be really peaceful. Good idea to absolutely stop any communication on any level. Can’t believe anyone would support that. Then again, that is why we have wars,isn’t it a?

In countries where there has been a history of oppression and discrimination one of the things which resulted in changing that was isolation from international events. South Africa being the prime example. I see no reason why using the same actions could not help bring about peace. Talks are necessary yes, involvement in other activities no.

LizzieDrip

^As as if all the subliminal hatred and anti-semitism buried in the subconscious of some people is being unleashed by this war.
Strangely I see very little of the same being expressed about Russian people by the war in Ukraine and of other atrocities around the world^

That’s an interesting point Callistemon21. People are happy (quite rightly) to acknowledge that the Russian people themselves are not all responsible for the actions of Putin. Yet, there seems to be a readiness to blame ‘all’ Jews for the actions of Netenyahu (apologies for spelling?). It certainly makes one think doesn’t it.

"Yet, there seems to be a readiness to blame ‘all’ Jews for the actions of Netenyahu (apologies for spelling?). It certainly makes one think doesn’t it."

Indeed.
Ditto blaming all Palestinians for Hamas.

I don't hate the Russian people I don't hate the Israeli people. I hate the governments which are happy to bomb, kill and injure civilians.
If Russia was banned so should Israel be.

Am I wrong to find a little discrepancy with those who consider Israel a democracy (the only real democracy in the Middle East) but then absolve its citizens of any involvement in the conflict. Doesn't democracy confer responsibility.
And can Putin's government (which presumably isn't democratic) really be compared with Netanyahu's?
So are the Russians really as responsible as the Israelis?

To Glorianny: I would say in the interests of promoting peace no country currently actively involved the invasion of another country should be permitted to enter the contest. Russia was banned Israel should be.

Invasion? Really? Israel has to root out those that invaded them. Extremely unfortunately (which does not in any way cover the situation) Hamas hides in: hospitals, schools and apartment blocks. Cowards. Palestinians suffer, as Hamas made no effort to secure provisions for what they knew would happen but Israel has not invaded. That, was Hamas, if you remember.

The current 'protesting' situation does smack of Germany in the 1930's and heavens knows what lies ahead. People with little depth of knowledge of the situation are being whipped up. Ask many of them a few questions about Hamas and they won't have a clue. Just jumping on a protesting bandwagon which ultimately may lead where I hope, no one wants it to.

Yes, Israel, should be allowed to enter the song contest. Why should the fact that their country was attacked and they are trying to defend themselves come in to a song contest?

Oreo

It’s always been there, hiding in plain sight.Now the war against hamas has given antisemites the green light to be openly so.

You are right, Oreo.

Glorianny

There's the usual inaccurate nonsense about the lack of protests for the conflicts in Sudan and other places at the start of this thread. Having been involved in many protests in many different forms about these various conflicts, and having been active in opposing this country's involvement in the supply of weapons I can tell those posters they are wrong. Not all protests receive as much publicity, so they must just have missed them.

I would say in the interests of promoting peace no country currently actively involved the invasion of another country should be permitted to enter the contest. Russia was banned Israel should be.
The young girl sent to be the centre of this controversy has my sympathy, but she has always the option to step down and say "No"

Not all protests receive as much publicity, so they must just have missed them.

I've obviously missed the marches with thousands upon thousands of marchers in central London on Saturdays against all these other conflicts. I wonder why none of the media have thought them worth covering?

As someone who gave up watching The Song Contest decades ago, I was mystified by the inclusion over the years of some of the 'newer' contestants, but understand it's all to do with being part of that broadcasting union.

The young woman entrant for Israel should not be subject to intimidation by protestors. I do hope she isn't subjected to the same during her performance.

Oh come on, no other conflict has thousands of people marching week in week out, no other conflict has universities banning the citizens of that country from the benefits of the students union no other conflict has people demonstrating at such a sensitive place as Auschwitz which was beyond disgusting. No, other conflicts have had their marches, but nothing on the scale of this one. Dress it up now you please, but it is for the most part anti semitism and hauntingly like Nazi Germany 1936.

The protesters have taken over areas of our main universities here . They are not even students yet the university authorities do nothing. Jewish students are mocked and jeered and subject to catcalls. If that isn’t anti Semitism, what is? No, not 1936 but 2024.

Jaberwok

Yes anti semantitism is alive and well and growing , if not, how is it that nobody appears to even remotely concerned, let alone march, for the children and people of Yemen, who are suffering unrelenting bombing, and blockading by Saudi Arabia? They too are starving, homeless, riddled with ailments and deprevation Where are all.you fervent marchers for them? Also Sudan, Somalia, Ukraine, (in particular), Chinese Muslims, Rohinga Muslims, women in Iran, and countless other persecuted people. But only Israel (very selective) which, unfortunately and sadly, and honestly is because they are Jews. Of course this young woman should be allowed to perform, If she were to win (she wont, for obvious reasons) there would be riots, again because she is a Jew.

You've covered it all and I agree wholeheartedly.

Jaberwok

Yes anti semantitism is alive and well and growing , if not, how is it that nobody appears to even remotely concerned, let alone march, for the children and people of Yemen, who are suffering unrelenting bombing, and blockading by Saudi Arabia? They too are starving, homeless, riddled with ailments and deprevation Where are all.you fervent marchers for them? Also Sudan, Somalia, Ukraine, (in particular), Chinese Muslims, Rohinga Muslims, women in Iran, and countless other persecuted people. But only Israel (very selective) which, unfortunately and sadly, and honestly is because they are Jews. Of course this young woman should be allowed to perform, If she were to win (she wont, for obvious reasons) there would be riots, again because she is a Jew.

Totally agree with you Jaberwok.

It is true that there has never been so much marching and protesting about other conflicts and the only conclusion we can draw is that this is driven by blatant antisemitism. The one situation I do remember where there were a lot of protests was Vietnam, but we’re going back some fifty years plus, and of course the protests were in America, not world wide.

Antisemitism is alive and well and supported by millions the world over.

I found the protests outside Auschwitz this week sickening.

Never again is now meaningless.

Doesn't democracy confer responsibility

I’m not sure this stacks up Glorianny. The UK is a (so-called) democracy but I would take issue with anyone holding me responsible for Brexit and the Rwanda scheme…to name just two (I could go on & on)! In any democracy there will be an enormous number of people who disagree with the government.

And if democracy confers responsibility then we are all responsible for the seven and a half million people on the NHS waiting lists.

Errrr, no, I don’t think so!

Other reasons apart from anti semitism?
* and why the huge interest in the West about the conflict*

possible reasons:

Unlike the other conflicts mentioned, The State of Israel and the people of Palestine have had enduring and political ties with the West since Balfour promised in 1917 to grant land to Jewish settlers in a region that was a British Protectorate...

but had at that time Christian Peoples, Arab Peoples and Jewish peoples living together in relative harmony.

At the end of WW2 it was Western Allies who made the decision with WW2 Jewish survivors to create Israel as a State in 1948 following the end of the British Protectorate (but not set up a Palestinian State).

It was problematic as in conflicts reported in the media from the outset and has continued to involve the West strongly. Since 1948 the US has given Israel $300 billion (adjusted for inflation) in total economic and military assistance.

Its hard to find comparable figure for US aid to Palestine time wise except "The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provides financial support to the Palestinian people for various development and humanitarian projects. Since 1994, the United States has provided more than $5.2 billion in aid to Palestinians through USAID.

There has been heightened interest and attention since 1967 when the then Israeli regime occupied Gaza ad the West Bank effectively attempting to annex them. This split supporters of Israeli the West and has continued to occupy the media on and off.

Currently I think international politics in the region are heavily centred around Israel being a base in the area against Iran and allies and thats why they attract such high amounts of military aid.

Israel is reacting to being attacked by an aggressor Hamas

Ukraine is reacting to being attacked by an aggressor Russia

Nobody was calling for Ukraine to be banned in 2022 were they.

Ukraine went on to win Eurovision that year, I doubt that Israel will win this year double standards or blatant antisemitism?

Yes there were lots of protests against the war in Vietnam, the difference being that they were against that war, not against anyone who happened to be an American, or any supporting country. These demonstrations had taken on a very sinister aspect, insomuch anyone who is Jewish, whether Israeli or not, supportive of the Israeli government or not, is now a target of hatred and serious abuse simply because they are Jews. Protesting and threatening violence because of a young person entering a song contest from a country you don't like, and perhaps if you are honest, people you don't like, the in the hopes of getting her banned by the mob is deeply disturbing.

Being against Netanyahu, and his policies, is not the same as being anti-Semitic. There are many Jews in Israel and around the world who oppose him. Being against Hamas and their policies is not the same as being anti-Islamic.

It will be very difficult to decide a best song as it seems to me that the decision will be a damned if they do and damned if they dont!

Before 1967 Jordan occupied the West Bank, Egypt Gaza. Israel was attacked in 1967 by surrounding Arab countries, a conflict against all the odds she won. Hence the annexing of Gaza and the West Bank. In 1948 a two state system was suggested and but for the fact that within days Israel was attacked by surrounding Arab states, this would almost certainly been implemented.

Maremia

Being against Netanyahu, and his policies, is not the same as being anti-Semitic. There are many Jews in Israel and around the world who oppose him. Being against Hamas and their policies is not the same as being anti-Islamic.

Agreed but I wish people would "hear" this. And these voices tend to get drowned out.

GrannyGravy13

Israel is reacting to being attacked by an aggressor Hamas

Ukraine is reacting to being attacked by an aggressor Russia

Nobody was calling for Ukraine to be banned in 2022 were they.

Ukraine went on to win Eurovision that year, I doubt that Israel will win this year double standards or blatant antisemitism?

It’s blatant antisemitism GG.

Maremia

Being against Netanyahu, and his policies, is not the same as being anti-Semitic. There are many Jews in Israel and around the world who oppose him. Being against Hamas and their policies is not the same as being anti-Islamic.

Unfortunately many many people on these marches and now camping at Universities round the world feel differently. Some of the chants and banners on these marches are antisemitic.

Jewish people are afraid, please do not dismiss their fear or the fact that antisemitism is on the rise worldwide.

Wyllow3

Maremia

Being against Netanyahu, and his policies, is not the same as being anti-Semitic. There are many Jews in Israel and around the world who oppose him. Being against Hamas and their policies is not the same as being anti-Islamic.

Agreed but I wish people would "hear" this. And these voices tend to get drowned out.

I agree.