Has EUROVISION become too POLITICAL?

[AviatorTom]

Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia have pulled out of next year’s Eurovision song contest (2026) because Israel is being allowed to participate.

Here's the story...

At least 4 countries pull out of 2026 Eurovision contest over Israel's participation

Does this indicate that EUROVISION has become too political?

It's supposed to be an apolitical music contest among countries.

What do you think?

[Lliam]

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the IOC imposed new sanctions that banned Russian and Belarusian teams from participating in international competitions.

For the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Russian teams were banned, and eligible athletes could only compete as "Individual Neutral Athletes" (AIN) without their national flag, anthem, or colors, provided they were not actively supporting the war or contracted to the military. The Russian Olympic Committee itself was indefinitely suspended by the IOC in October 2023 for incorporating sports councils in occupied Ukrainian territories, a breach of the Olympic Charter.

Israel has been attacking neighboring countries, committing the most unspeakably sadistic acts and genocide for 78 years. It should have been banned from the Olympics years ago and should not be allowed to participate in any international activities because it is worse than Nazi Germany.

I applaud the countries with enough morals to boycott Israel and I condemn those countries who do nothing.

Israel should be considered a pariah by the entire world.

[Hardon-Collider]

The cat breed that evolved on russian territory was banned from international cat conpetitions 🤣🤣 for a war with very well below 10% civilian casualties, and when ukraine has a higher military budget.

But boycotting israel is antisemitism when it commits atrocities that target millions of civilians with a small few thousand out of millions being barely armed.

And I'll never stop reminding people of the israeli officials' own words about completely removing all of Palestine off the map. And that the defense minister described the problem being that on October 7th, some soldiers didn't kill jews to prevent them from being captured, and only some did while all should have. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnvz2C5Y-3w

[Lliam]

@Hardon-Collider. OMG, it is such a relief to know someone who actually knows what is going on.
Respect to you, bro.
And thanks for sharing that video.

[snapkingmatt]

It has been political for as long as I can remember. Why else would you allow jury voting to play such an important part? And there are so many other indications. Just look at the banning of Joost Klein (Europapa, from The Netherlands in 2024), what was never rectified after the judge ruled he did nothing wrong. It's political, autocratic and an unsafe environment for performers.

[purplepoppy]

The voting at the has always been political. To be honest that's half the fun, watching certain countries support each other and everyone shitting on the UK. People love to bitch about the nonpolitical EV being political.

Not taking part because of israel just makes you look like a sulking little child. Perhaps countries that pull out shouldn't be allowed back in.

[DryGermanGuy]

"Allemagne, zero points." :-D :-D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zfnlkiPCVA

[emeraldsaphire]

I don't know about that, I've never seen it, but I'm still wondering how Australia made it into EUROvision. You can't get much less European then The pacific ocean southern hemisphere. Like I can over look Turkey. It's not in Europe Fight me on that , but it's close enough, so sure that's fine. Israel is a bit much too, but at least It's not Freaking Australia.

[AviatorTom]

@emeraldsaphire Turkey's largest city, Istanbul is split between Europe and Asia, with parts of the city on both sides of the Bosporus Strait. I've been there, both sides and on the water.

Australia is a former British colony and has strong ties to Europe, which is why it was invited to Eurovision.

[emeraldsaphire]

A tiny section of Turkey in Europe geographically sure, but historically the Ottomans have always been at Odds with Christendom.

And for Australia. The US is a former British colony with strong ties to Europe too. And at least we share an ocean with them

[AI Opinion]

Eurovision has been facing criticism for being political over the years. While it aims to unite countries through music, geopolitics sometimes overshadow the contest. The recent withdrawal of countries over Israel's participation highlights the ongoing tensions. Such actions suggest that political issues are influencing decisions, which can threaten the original intent of being an apolitical event. Despite this, the contest still brings diverse music and cultures to a global audience. 🎵

[FreyaRed]

Eurovision is a show of state funded TV. It's been always political and now the wind has changed and some politician decided to ostracize Israel. Nazis deserve to be treated like nazis, of course some news outlets supporting Gaza genocide don't like that.

[Friendlybro79]

I think speech is never too much of anything other than that maybe it being something you don't want to listen to, and it when it becomes that for a person, they should just not listen. Not listening to things you don't like is the best way to show your power when trying to take a stance.

It is wild to me how people get very upset around things that they know will set them off but they choose to listen, and then want to silence the other person. We should not silence anyone (unless it's a little clear and present danger) because we think something's too (insert anything). Just don't listen. Especially when ratings matter. That's how you win peacefully since everything is about ratings, advertising, and money.

[Cubus]

Yes.

Not that I care about it. My country constantly gets much less points from judges than from fans, which prevents it from finishing in top 15.

And its not that these songs are any exceptional. How many of Eurovision songs in recent years became hits? Mans Zelmerlow, Maneskin and thats pretty much it.

[OlderAndWiser]

Most of Europe is ruled by leftists and they make EVERYTHING political.

[Shiprex]

Of course it's a political sham to allow the rogue terrorist regime take part and thus justifying the genocide and war crimes they inflicted on Gazans

[jJanSmit]

It's been political since a long time. Countries that get along well are and were giving each other the most points. It's been a farce since years.

Forgive my negativity, but I hate it because of that.

[Xoirwinkan]

I think it has always been political. For what it's worth I also think Israel shouldn't be in it since it's called EUROvision. The same thing happened to European football. The definition of Europe is apparently expanding.

[strateguy632]

the opposite. included israel proved not political. if they bowed to this pressure it would be political.

[Nikki1989]

Nobody cares about Eurovision. That lost all its cred way back in the 1980s.

[robocop666]

Fucking ridiculous. I remember songs have come in second due to people voting politically. maybe not say which country is which till people vote.

[katiesmuff]

So many things have become much too political!

[Anonymous]

Those 4 countries are right, I love them. They took good stance. Nothing political about that. It's about humanity.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Probably, but were it RIGHT-wing would you think it?

[DJB72]

It's had fuck all to do with music in decades

[loveyouoak]

No, I don't think so.

[Xawyx-2]

Yes, I believe so.

[LiamJHayden]

Almost everything has.

[chrissykerdock]

who really cares

[Raydergman26]

Who cares