Eurovision’s 'No-Politics' Image is Crumbling Fast 

Belarus was disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021 for twice fielding songs deemed to have broken the rules of the competition. Why was Israel given a third chance - following a government intervention? A government intervention? THAT defeats all the claims that Eurovision is not political.

In 2017, EBU ordered Salvador Sobral change a t-shirt he was wearing at backstage saying... "Save Refugies". Shame on EBU.

It's almost as if the sponsor of the contest is from Israel

Really enjoy your thoughtful analysis of this, Stuart. I'm not sure if there's evidence on how much of the EBU's conduct was swayed by its principal sponsor being an Israeli business, but that's something I hope is explored by broadcaster members in the next few months.

Stuart, I've watched this video several times because it resonates with me so much. Thank you for uploading it and raising your voice. I'm from the UK. I'm 64 years old - I watched my first ever ESC in 1970 and have treasured it every year since, not knowing that, in my later teens and twenties, it would become something I identified with as an outsider and someone who wasn't represented in general television culture. More importantly, the initial thrill for me as a 10 year old in England was that all these people watching Eurovision. regardless of where they lived, what language they spoke, even... what they ate for breakfast... At that one moment, they/we were all watching exactly the same thing at exactly the same time. Wow! THAT is a thrill that never goes away. The interval flashmob act of 2010 can still reduce me to tears. From the thrill of ESC being hosted in my home city of Liverpool, in 2023 to the disaster of 2024, I feel heartbroken. Eurovision needs a complete overhaul that it has not had for many, many years. The system is broken. 1) Let's be clear on politics. If your country is engaged in, or supporting, an invasion of another country. That's a NO.. Russia Goodbye/Lasha Tumbai. Israel/Azerbaijan, your cards are marked, Belarus too. 2)Juries. My gosh, juries are SO important to balance the vote. but international jury votes of just five or so people bear no credibility. Absolutely, keep a jury vote, but make it proportional. 3)Voting scores. Seriously, the points system has not been amended since 1975 when the final only had 18 participant's, now we have 26. . The 12-1 points system is one of the main causes of the zero points events that happen year on year. Shame on the EBU when an artist spends six months of their life working towards this one three minutes and is given zero points. The EBU needs to address this potential shaming of contestants and work more on supporting their contibutions.

was this re-uploaded? I swear I watched this video the other day

What a shitshow Eurovision was this year 😢 I hope there will be changes in EBU after this.

As a Ukrainian-Canadian, I made sure my emails to the EBU protesting the inclusion of Israel included the line about it being humanitarian not political. I also can't imagine the backlash if vyshyvanky, or any other people's traditional clothing were banned from Eurovision the way the keffiyeh is. And yes, there has been a growing political element to vyshyvanky in the last decade or so--it's not a completely different situation.

Is this re-used?

#justiceforjoost

What went down at Eurovision reminds me a bit of what happened at the FIRST Robotics Competition world championship this year, granted 1690 (Orbit’s) win seems to be less heavily pushed. Nonetheless, none of the Israeli teams should have been there in the first place if FIRST organization actually care about upholding “gracious professionalism.”

Yawn. Politics has always played a part in Eurovision and that may be a reason why I find it so engaging. For me a bigger Eurovision controversy not often discussed is $oldi.

0:14 he is nervous and uncanny. İsraeli delegation

The Israeli flag was allowed because that's their flag, for goodness sake.

i really liked the video. it was well edited and high quality. it was well written and straightforward. i think you need more attention. hope you get the views and subs you deserve :) free palestine 🇵🇸

❤

I rgought it was made pretty clear decades ago, that Europeans fo not support the Israeli cause...

what a completely misleading thumbnail. For anyone wondering, the thumbnail compares an opening act participator’s bland protest while not being allowed to do so, and the literal Israeli representative holding the Israeli flag AT THE FLAG PARADE, at which every country is obviously allowed to do so.

0:56, no, it was more blatant in 2022 when Ukraine swarmed the televote with a half arsed effort because of the Russian invasion. It may be nice to support them in such a hard time but them winning didn’t do anything to help their war effort and ruined Sam or Chanel’s chances of winning because it was just a given everyone would vote for them

It is amazing to me how people like you, with zero knowledge about the situation, and especially Israel, talks with such confidence. You actually represent it as Israel should stop so the hostages can return and actually think that Israel just bombs civilians, out of nowhere, so I guess you are not familiar with geographics, culture and politics of the area. About the "campaign" of Israel worldwide.. Israel did it in all the last competitions, it is not new, it is only in your head. Israel on the other hand did not participate in the Europe tour pre-Eurovision which is used to promote the songs due to security issues. And finally, all your arguments are against other side.. why Israel, why EBU.. why don't you ask yourself why those artists had to go around the rules, in a sneaky way, to send a political message? they know it is forbidden

yeah that was such a political voting, no jury gave Israel points higher than 8 🇮🇱

Marina❤zari❤mantisa❤koupes❤pali❤tucutum❤

Antisemites most affected.

you are a lier, is palestine participed to the contest ? NO does Eden Golan brung the Israeli flag during the flag parade with the other participants ? YES so stop your anti-israeli hate