TV anchor: Arab look not appropriate for Eurovision Song Contest
TV Anchor Anastasia Michalei sparked the ire of Eurovision panelists when stating that the selected Israeli representative should not bear an Arab appearance: "We must select people who do not only represent us artistically," she said.
TV anchor and member of the Eurovision Song Contest panel, Anastasia Michaeli, sparked the ire of many during a panel session held to decide who would represent Israel in the European Song Contest scheduled to be held in Helsinki, Finland in May.
The panel ultimately selected the Tipex band, but discussions on the subject were far from smooth.
Michaeli, a TV anchor for Channel 9, and a former candidate for the recent Kadima party elections, made waves after stating that the selected representative should not have an Arab look. Michaeli's statement, which was directed at the young female singer Liel, angered veteran singer Yardena Arazi who responded by saying: "All the Israeli representatives who won the contest so far bore an Arab look and I am among them."
Michaeli read out a text message she had received from the Kadima ranks asking her to assure appropriate representation of the Russian community.
"The woman obviously doesn't understand that this is not a political panel aimed at advancing various sectors, but rather a song competition," a panelist said.
"I favor equality and I am personally not racist," Michaeli told ynet, "however I would like to see us winning the contest but this won't be a simple task. We have a small country and the aim is to win, particularly in wake of the Lebanon war, international terror and assimilation. I have many Arab friends, however I personally believe that in the selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest the political aspect should not be forgotten.
"We should select people who can represent us on more than the artistic level, they should of course have talent, but we should also consider how they would represent the country and unfortunately this wasn't taken into account adequately," she said.
Despite the fact that this is a country with two peoples?
"There should only be one, otherwise we shall not be able to resolve the problems."
Are you aware of the fact that all the Israeli contestants who won the Eurovision Song Contest in the past bore an Arab appearance?
"We are competing in a European contest, and therefore an appropriate contestant should be selected. A chance should be given to all, there's no doubt about that, but we should also take our history into account, and there are some people who have forgotten this.
"I am looking at this competition from a Zionistic point of view. It's important to me that there be integration, that artists from all sectors be selected fairly. For example, there was an amazing Ethiopian girl called Ayala Ingdasht, I would have selected her. But they selected who they did and I wish them luck. Let them bring us victory."
So you are not very happy with the choice?
"I like Tipex very much. When I first came to Israel I learned Hebrew from their songs and from their street wisdom that depicted Israeli life, such as their song "The new central bus station", I remember the words even now. I think they are a band with a lot of experience and they would represent us well."
Who were your candidates for the contest?
"I proposed the "Sixth Sense" a threesome that is very well known throughout the Russian community. I thought they were relevant. Had I known in advance we would have prepared them and even aired a competition with them on Channel 9. The Russian sector hasn't been represented in this contest for many years, only their own candidates were promoted, namely from the State of Israel not from the Russian sector. We have many people who have proven themselves and who arrived here for Zionistic reasons.
"Representing a nation is an emotional hardship and the level of the contestants' professionalism should be examined. When they open their mouths they should show experience. One Lebanon war was enough, Israel's public relations should be appropriate, the contestants should speak English properly and when they are interviewed on foreign TV stations they should be able to talk about politics and have an education. We shouldn't just let them sing but also instruct them on what and how to say things. They should be able to convey our messages."
Following Michaeli's statement, chairman of the Shas religious party dispatched a letter of complaint to Yoram Mokdi, chairman of Israel's Council for Satellite and Cable Broadcasting, where he wrote:
"It is shocking to hear an opinion leader repeatedly state that the Israeli collective has rejected her, this is a racist statement that takes Israel back dozens of years. I view harshly the circumstances in which Ms Michaeli is conveying to her viewers such stances and in so doing reinforcing the dispute and polarization within Israeli society. If Michaeli stands behind her racist statements, she cannot be part of the media in the State of Israel.
The spokesman for Channel 9, Rani Rahav said in response: "Anastasia Michaeli is a member of the Eurovision panel on her own behalf and not on behalf of Channel 9. The matter has nothing to do with Channel 9 or anyone on its behalf."
Following the storm, the minister in charge of the Broadcasting Authority, Eitan Cabel asked the authority's director Motti Shakler to examine whether Michaeli did indeed make the alleged statements, and if so to take measures to dismiss her from the panel.
"If the statements were in fact made," Cabel told ynet," it is a very irresponsible statement bearing a racist and unacceptable tone by sectors in Israeli society that do not represent the spirit of the Eurovision and the world view held by the Broadcasting Authority and public broadcasting in general that represents all layers of society."
