The Eurovision Song Contest has defended Israel’s participation in the contest amid calls from furious viewers for a boycott of the 2024 event.
Organisers at the event have confirmed that Israel will be taking part in next year’s contest in Malmö, Sweden,
Noa Kirel finished third place in last year’s contest
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A spokesperson from the contest told GB News: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a competition for public service broadcasters from across Europe and the Middle East.
“It is a competition for broadcasters, not governments, and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the Contest for 50 years.
“We are a member-led organisation. The governing bodies of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), headed by the Executive Board, represent the membership.
“These bodies have reviewed the participants list and agreed that the Israeli public broadcaster KAN meets all the competition rules and can participate in the Contest next year in Malmö, Sweden, alongside 36 other broadcasters.”
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Noa Kirel came third with her song Unicorn
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The spokesperson added: “The EBU is aligned with other international organizations, including sports unions and federations and other international bodies, that have similarly maintained their inclusive stance towards Israeli participants in major competitions at this time.
“The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.”
In last year’s contest, Israel’s entry, Noa Kirel, finished third with her song, Unicorn.
Years & Years lead singer and It’s a Sin star Olly Alexander was announced on Sunday as the UK’s representative for the 2024 competition.
Next year’s contest is set to take place at the Malmo Arena
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The UK will be hoping to do better in next year’s event after Mae Muller’s “I Wrote A Song” finished in second last place.
Next year’s competition is set to be held at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden.
The semi-finals is set to take place on May 7 and May 9, with the final of the contest set to be on May 11, 2024.
