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Eurovision 70th Anniversary Events Held in Brussels; Israel Advances to Final
European and Palestinian musicians are performing on a “united for music” stage in Brussels to protest Israel’s participation in the contest’s 70th anniversary edition. Ten countries including Finland and Israel secured places in the final on Tuesday while five nations boycotted over Israel’s war in Gaza, which has killed at least 75,000 Palestinians since the October 7 Hamas attack.
May 13, 11:43 AM·1m read2 sources
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Artists in Brussels are holding a counter-Eurovision event on the contest’s 70th anniversary to protest Israel’s inclusion over its war on Gaza. European and Palestinian musicians are sharing a “united for music” stage at the event as a form of solidarity. Ten countries secured places in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday.
Finland and Israel were among those advancing. Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland are boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza. The conflict has killed at least 75,000 Palestinians since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Israeli singer Noa represented Israel at Eurovision in 2009 alongside Mira Awad, a Palestinian citizen of Israel. Noa has frequently used her platform to speak out against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in both the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The contest’s 70th anniversary edition has been overshadowed by divisions over Israel’s participation.
France 24 reported that the boycotting countries cited the Gaza war as their reason for withdrawing. Noa spoke to France 24 amid the backlash over Israel’s advancement. Her 2009 performance with Mira Awad marked a rare joint appearance by an Israeli and a Palestinian citizen of Israel on the Eurovision stage.
The counter-Eurovision gathering in Brussels brings together musicians who say they stand united for music rather than division. Organizers chose the date to coincide with the anniversary contest now underway.
