The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the exclusion of Israel of international cultural events such as the Eurovision Song Contest during his military campaign in Gaza, just as Russia was excluded after the full invasion of Ukraine.
Eurovision, which emphasizes its political neutrality, was again confronted with controversy during this month’s final in Basel, Switzerland, won by the Austrian singer JJ. The Yuval Raphael of Israel won the television, in which members of the public mood.
In anticipation of Sunday’s final, the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has broadcast a message to support Palestinians – even though he was warned to avoid references to Gaza by Eurovision organizers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
What did Pedro Sanchez say?
“I believe that no one was shocked three years ago when Russia was asked to withdraw from international competitions after the Ukraine had invaded and did not participate in Eurovision, for example, Israel should not do this either,” said Sanchez, a socialist and old critic of Israeli policy in the occupied Palestinian territorium.
“We cannot allow double standards, not even in culture.
“The dedication of Spain to international law and human rights must be constant and must be coherent. Europe should be that too.”
International pressure on Israel is increasing
Pro-Palestinian groups had encouraged the EBU to exclude Israel about the war in Gaza.
In April, RTVE wrote to the EBU to ask for a “debate” about Israeli participation in the midst of civil society “concern” about the situation in Gaza, where the risk of famine rises.
Sanchez called on artists to stand up for endangered values such as democracy and peace and criticized those who defend “a boring, quiet, similar cultural sector.”
A year ago, Spain – together with Norway and Ireland – formally a United Palestinian state ruled by the Palestinian authority and with East Jerusalem as the capital – a decision that has condemned Israel as the strengthening of Hamas.
Last October, Sanchez insisted on the European Union and the broader international community to stop selling weapons to Israel, as Spain did in 2023.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israël did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comments on Sanchez’s comments.
#Prime #Minister #Spain #calls #exclusion #Israel #Eurovision #Gaza #War