The boycott campaign against Israel at Eurovision continues: Slovenia announced it will air Palestinian films instead of the European song contest, while Ireland’s public broadcaster, which had already confirmed it would not broadcast the competition, took a formal step by publishing its May schedule without Eurovision. Spain will also stop broadcasting the contest this year, for the first time since 1961.
The three countries had already announced they would not participate in the contest because of Israel’s participation. Now, in effect, they are also preventing their citizens from watching it through their public broadcasters
A representative of Slovenia’s public broadcaster officially confirmed the decision to boycott the broadcast as well.
“We will broadcast a series of films including Palestinian films,” she said in recent days.
These countries were among the leaders of the failed effort to boycott Israel from the competition. The move collapsed after the European Broadcasting Union put new rules, including Israel’s participation in Eurovision, to a vote. They were approved by a majority.
Less than a month remains before the first semifinal, in which Israel will take part on May 12. Israel’s representative, Noam Bettan, will perform song No. 10, “Michelle,” which is currently ranked sixth in the betting odds.