May 7th 2024.
I've made a tough decision - I won't be tuning in to the Eurovision contest this year. As a huge fan of the show, this was not an easy choice for me. My love for Eurovision began in 2014 when my husband introduced me to it. I was blown away by the fact that a bearded drag queen like Conchita Wurst could win. Since then, I've been hooked on the campy performances, the grandeur of the show, and of course, the music.
Every year, my husband and I host a viewing party at our house. In 2016, we even traveled to Stockholm to watch the show live. It was an unforgettable experience, especially because that was the year Ukraine's Jamala won with her powerful song "1944" - which alluded to the Russian annexation of Crimea. But unfortunately, I've decided that I won't be able to watch the contest this year.
My change of heart came after the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel - a founding member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement - called for a boycott in March. They urged broadcasters, national competitors, finalists, production crews, and viewers to join in the boycott due to Israel's inclusion in the competition. And I have to say, after learning about the atrocities happening in Gaza - where over 34,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in the last seven months - I couldn't agree more with this decision.
Grassroots movements across Europe have been pressuring the European Broadcasting Union to drop Israel from the competition. This call has been joined by thousands of artists in various countries. However, it seems to have fallen on deaf ears, with the EBU claiming that Eurovision is "non-political." But how can they say that when they swiftly and rightfully banned Russia from the competition in 2022 after their invasion of Ukraine? It's clear to me that the decision to allow Israel to compete is also politically motivated.
And now, because the EBU has refused to remove Israel, I have decided to join in the boycott. I had planned to host a big ticketed screening party in Dalston, with around 800 people in an auditorium cheering and screaming along. But I have since canceled it. It's sad to miss out on one of my favorite events of the year, and also to suffer financially from missing out on potential work opportunities. But for me, it's more important to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
In my opinion, Israel's inclusion in the competition is nothing but pinkwashing at its finest. If you're not familiar with the term, pinkwashing is a propaganda strategy that uses LGBTQ+ rights to give a progressive image to a country while hiding their less popular actions. As reported in The New York Times in 2011, it's essentially using gay rights as a public relations tool. This is exactly what Israel is doing by promoting Tel Aviv as an international gay vacation destination, with a budget of around $90 million.
As an event with a huge LGBTQ+ audience, Eurovision fits perfectly into this pinkwashing campaign. Israel understands the cultural power of pinkwashing and the opportunity that Eurovision presents to improve their international image with a glittery pop performance. They even won the competition in 2018 with Netta's song "Toy". It's clear to me that Israel sees Eurovision as a chance to restore their image, as their president Isaac Herzog said in February, "It is important for Israel to appear in Eurovision."
This is why the boycott is more important than ever. Earlier this year, I joined hundreds of other queer artists in co-signing an open letter to Olly Alexander - the UK's entrant this year - encouraging him to join the boycott. I have a lot of respect for Olly and usually agree with him on political issues, but I feel he has completely missed the mark in this case. He posted a letter from eight other acts who claim to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and believe in the unifying power of music, and so have decided to remain in the competition. But to me, this statement seems weak and does nothing to address the issue at hand.
I urge Olly to reconsider his decision. Imagine the impact it would have had if all the artists had withdrawn instead. I understand that he may be contractually obligated to participate, and it's not fair that he is being put in this position. But as someone who has a platform and a voice, it's important to do the right thing even when it's not easy. And it's not too late for Olly to make a bold statement and use his platform for good.
Some people argue that boycotting Eurovision won't make a real impact on the situation in Palestine. But it's important to recognize that it was a group of Palestinian academics and leaders who first called for the boycott. By ignoring their agency, we are undermining their efforts. Also, boycotting has proven to be an effective tool in creating change, as seen in South Africa's fight against apartheid. From being banned from sporting events to musicians refusing to perform in the country, it was a collective effort that helped end apartheid.
In the end, a concerted effort to pressure Israel financially, culturally, and politically is our best chance at making a difference as everyday people. Eurovision may be just one small part of this movement, but it's an important opportunity to shed light on the war and the hypocrisy of Israel's inclusion and to maintain pressure on western governments. As queer individuals, we cannot allow our beloved cultural institutions to be used to cover up Israel's actions, which have been labeled as genocide.
I firmly believe that the Palestinian people deserve the right to life, autonomy, and self-determination. And until those rights are recognized, we must do everything in our power to protest. So I urge everyone to consider joining the boycott of Eurovision. And if you're feeling down about missing the show, you could always host your own Eurovision party with friends, like I plan to do. We'll be playing songs from previous years, providing our own commentary, and holding our own "live" vote. Who needs the official show when you can make your own?
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