{"id":35525,"date":"2024-04-10T22:24:56","date_gmt":"2024-04-10T16:54:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/eurovision-organisers-condemn-abuse-of-contestants-over-israel-as-unacceptable-ents-arts-news\/"},"modified":"2024-04-10T22:24:56","modified_gmt":"2024-04-10T16:54:56","slug":"eurovision-organisers-condemn-abuse-of-contestants-over-israel-as-unacceptable-ents-arts-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/eurovision-organisers-condemn-abuse-of-contestants-over-israel-as-unacceptable-ents-arts-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Eurovision organisers condemn abuse of contestants over Israel as ‘unacceptable’ | Ents & Arts News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Eurovision organisers have condemned the abuse and harassment of contestants over Israel’s inclusion in the competition as “unacceptable and totally unfair”.<\/p>\n

UK entrant Olly Alexander<\/strong> last month rejected calls to boycott the music competition amid the conflict in the Gaza Strip, although he is among several Eurovision<\/strong> entrants who have signed a joint statement calling for an “immediate and lasting ceasefire<\/strong>“.<\/p>\n

Jean Philip De Tender, deputy director general of Eurovision organiser the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has now released a statement over the inclusion of Israeli broadcaster Kan and the country’s entrant Hurricane, performed by singer Eden Golan.<\/p>\n

He said he understands that this year’s Eurovision takes place “against the backdrop of a terrible war in the Middle East” and this has provoked strong feelings, but criticised artists being “targeted” on social media.<\/p>\n

“While we strongly support freedom of speech and the right to express opinions in a democratic society, we firmly oppose any form of online abuse, hate speech, or harassment directed at our artists or any individuals associated with the contest,” Mr De Tender added.<\/p>\n

“This is unacceptable and totally unfair, given the artists have no role in this decision.”<\/p>\n

Read more:
Eurovision entrants grapple with diplomacy on Gaza<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Mr De Tender said the EBU is dedicated to “providing a safe and supportive environment for all participants, staff, and fans” and promoting “the values of respect, inclusivity, and understanding, both online and offline”.<\/p>\n

He added: “We urge everyone to engage in respectful and constructive dialogue and support the artists who are working tirelessly – on what is a music and entertainment show – to share their music with the world.”<\/p>\n

Israel unveiled Hurricane as its entry in March – a change to Golan’s original track, October Rain, which caused controversy as its lyrics were thought to reference the 7 October Hamas attacks, which killed around 1,200 people.<\/p>\n

More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s response, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.<\/p>\n

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Bambie Thug and several other acts have signed a statement calling for a ceasefire<\/span>
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Eurovision bills itself as a non-political event and can disqualify contestants deemed to have breached that rule.<\/p>\n

Last year, Sweden won the contest with the song Tattoo by Loreen. This year’s ceremony is due to take place in Malmo in May.<\/p>\n

Years & Years star Alexander’s entry for the UK this year is called Dizzy.<\/p>\n

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