LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Over 400 entertainment industry leaders have thrown their support behind Israel’s participation in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. This comes in response to calls from some members of the industry to ban Israel from the competition following the Hamas massacre on October 7 and the subsequent outbreak of war.
Actress Helen Mirren, known for her portrayal of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in the film “Golda,” was among the 400+ signatories. Other prominent figures who signed the open letter include Liev Schreiber, Gene Simmons, Scooter Braun, Boy George, Mayim Bialik, and Sharon Osbourne.
Despite the controversy, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has ruled that Israel will continue to participate in the contest. This decision has sparked debates within the entertainment industry, with some Finnish and Icelandic artists, as well as protesters in Norway, calling for Israel to be banned from the competition.
The conflict of opinions has led to a petition signed by over 1,400 Finnish artists and Icelandic music industry professionals, urging for Israel’s exclusion from the event. They argue that allowing Israel to participate is contradictory to their values, especially in light of what they perceive as Israel’s involvement in war crimes and military occupation.
However, those who support Israel’s participation argue that the country is fighting against a European Union-designated terrorist group and should not be punished for defending itself. They emphasize that music can be a unifying force and excluding Israeli artists does not promote peace, but rather further divides the world.
The debate has drawn attention from prominent figures in the entertainment industry, with KISS musician Gene Simmons and actress Mayim Bialik condemning the calls to boycott and exclude Israeli artists. They argue that such actions tarnish the unifying spirit of Eurovision and go against the values of inclusivity and diversity that the contest stands for.
Amidst the ongoing controversy, the Creative Community For Peace has issued a statement expressing their strong support for Israel’s participation in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. They hope that Eurovision will stand firm in the face of the boycott attempts and emphasize the industry’s support for all participants, including those from Israel.