Eurovision Song Contest
After two days during which Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired more than 600 rockets at Israel, Hamas’s official TV channel warned that if Israel does not honor the current ceasefire understandings to the terror organization’s satisfaction, it will disrupt the Eurovision.
As Israel prepares to host Eurovision, Israeli singer Kobi Marimi gives his entry a more upbeat tempo in the hopes that it will improve his country’s chances at the international song contest.
The defense and security establishment believes deterrence has been restored, but not fully, and that if no political understandings are reached it is only a matter of time until the next escalation.
Performers targeted included Madonna, Bilal Hassani, Alessandro Mahmoud, Michael Rice and Sarah McTernan, as well as participating countries’ broadcast authorities. It is estimated that the tweets had a potential reach of 9.7 million users.
“The members of the entertainment industry who have signed this statement ... believe in building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region,” said Ari Ingel, director of Creative Community for Peace.
Entertainers include queer Palestinian pop-artist Bashar Murad, Palestinian drag performer Elias Wakeem and London-based drag performer Ray Filar.
Irish BDS and LGBTQ activists accuse Israel of “pinkwashing,” and call on Ireland’s Eurovision contestant to drop out of the finals in Tel Aviv.
Madonna to perform at Eurovision finals in Tel Aviv
“I believe that the performance of Madonna, accompanied by dozens of professional backup dancers, will make a significant contribution to the success of the event and the strengthening of Israel’s positive branding in the world,” said Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams.
The Shalva group, an Israeli band featuring musicians with special needs, has dropped out of the song contest in May because compulsory rehearsals for the Saturday-night finals will take place on Shabbat.
The “insignia handover,” symbolized with the passing of a large decorated key chain, took place between Deputy Mayor of Lisbon Duarte Cordeiro and Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai. Lisbon hosted the 2018 Eurovision contest.
His most popular song of 2018, “Sheni Meshugaim” (“Two Crazy People”) garnered more than 48 million hits last year on YouTube.
“Boycotts do not cause peace. Boycotts cause more division among people. More polarization,” says the New York director of Creative Community for Peace, which supports artists and encourages artists to perform in Israel.
