Eurovision 2024 discussion.

[JD2168]

This evening will see possibly one of the most controversial Eurovision Song Contests occur in Malmo, Sweden.

Most of the controversy is around the Israel entry with the current events in Gaza. This has seen a number of protests & some booing with the arena. The Netherlands entry has been disqualified from the final after alleged inappropriate behaviour. The readers of the results from Finland & Norway have pulled out & replaced by someone else.

 

[75A]

Surely Israel is in Asia, what's it doing in the Eurovision song contest?

 

[Cowley]

This evening will see possibly one of the most controversial Eurovision Song Contests occur in Malmo, Sweden.

Most of the controversy is around the Israel entry with the current events in Gaza. This has seen a number of protests & some booing with the arena. The Netherlands entry has been disqualified from the final after alleged inappropriate behaviour. The readers of the results from Finland & Norway have pulled out & replaced by someone else.

I’ve taken the liberty of using your post as the basis of a new thread, as recommended by @brad465 (who receives nil point ).

 

[brad465]

Surely Israel is in Asia, what's it doing in the Eurovision song contest?

The most extreme must be Australia, which is on the other side of the world (to the point that their vote results are read out in daylight).

I'm not sure why Israel is allowed into a European contest, only they've been in it since 1973 so it's not a relatively new thing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 May 2024 ==

I’ve taken the liberty of using your post as the basis of a new thread, as recommended by @brad465 (who receives nil point ).

Well I've probably already scored higher than the UK's entry will

 

[Cowley]

@brad465 - Very good!

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Controversy also surrounding Netherlands who have been disqualified for an ‘incident’ at Thursday’s semi final

 

[75A]

The most extreme must be Australia, which is on the other side of the world (to the point that their vote results are read out in daylight).

Are you serious?

 

[nw1]

While it is difficult to fathom out exactly what happened, it does seem to have been an over-reaction to disqualify the guy from the Netherlands.

In terms of countries, I'm quite happy for any country, including Israel, to take part. Contestants don't necessarily share the political views of their Governments.

Equally, what I don't like is Sunak calling pro-Palestine demos in Malmö "outrageous", which to me demonstrates that he doesn't quite understand the gravity of the situation in Gaza, or simply doesn't care. But that's probably more for the other thread, as an anti-Sunak rant would take this well off-topic...

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Are you serious?

Australia are not in this year’s final after elimination at the semi final.

 

[AlterEgo]

The most extreme must be Australia, which is on the other side of the world (to the point that their vote results are read out in daylight).

I'm not sure why Israel is allowed into a European contest, only they've been in it since 1973 so it's not a relatively new thing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 May 2024 ==


Well I've probably already scored higher than the UK's entry will

Israel qualifies because Eurovision is based on the Eurovision and Euradio network coverage. It extends beyond Europe.

Israel should be under cultural sanctions like South Africa was under apartheid, so I agree they should not be there.

 

[ainsworth74]

Are you serious?

Yep they compete. I seem to recall it's becuase Eurovision is extremely popular in Australia so eventually for what was supposed to be a one off in 2015 for Eurovision's 60th anniversary they were allowed to compete. It went well enough that they've carried on competing since!

 

[brad465]

Israel qualifies because Eurovision is based on the Eurovision and Euradio network coverage. It extends beyond Europe.

Israel should be under cultural sanctions like South Africa was under apartheid, so I agree they should not be there.

I certainly think there will be major trouble on the way if Israel win Eurovision (they're second favourites so not out of the question) and the situation does not get any better in Gaza over the next 12 months. The EBU may have to do what happened in 2022 and allow 2nd place to host it, but this time with the by-then previous winner also being expelled.

 

[deltic]

While it is difficult to fathom out exactly what happened, it does seem to have been an over-reaction to disqualify the guy from the Netherlands.

Given the police have prepared a report for possible prosecution it seems highly appropriate for the performer to have been suspended.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 May 2024 ==

Surely Israel is in Asia, what's it doing in the Eurovision song contest?

For the same reason it competes in European football competitions

 

[najaB]

Surely Israel is in Asia

Geographically, yes. Culturally it has much more in common with western Europe than the countries that surround it.

 

[75A]

You live and learn.

 

[Gloster]

There would also potentially be a few minor problems if Israel were to compete in a Middle East version of Eurovision, if there is such a thing. I am sure that their entry would be well received in Iran, Syria, etc.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Eurovision is an organisation that allows broadcasters to “pool” news and sports footage amongst other things. The broadcasters in each country pay a fee each year and that allows each broadcaster to use each others footage. The 5 biggest contributors to Eurovision (UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy) get an automatic place in the Song Contest Finals every year as a result. Any country anywhere in the world can be a Eurovision member and can (theoretically) enter the song contest. Hence the likes of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Isreal and Australia taking part over the years…

 

[brad465]

There would also potentially be a few minor problems if Israel were to compete in a Middle East version of Eurovision, if there is such a thing. I am sure that their entry would be well received in Iran, Syria, etc.

Good luck getting that version off the ground even without Israel in it, given there's huge tensions between the core Islamic countries there (and civil/proxy wars to prove it). That said I'd look forward to Iran's entry being "Iranian men, Hallelujah!"

 

[najaB]

That said I'd look forward to Iran's entry being "Iranian men, Hallelujah!"

I doff my hat to you, good Sir.

 

[Gloster]

Good luck getting that version off the ground even without Israel in it, given there's huge tensions between the core Islamic countries there (and civil/proxy wars to prove it). That said I'd look forward to Iran's entry being "Iranian men, Hallelujah!"

It looks as though the format was sold to the region around 2008, but it never got off the ground. If it had a widespread war would probably have broken out long ago.

 

[McRhu]

First year I won't be watching. It's not the Eurovision that I used to enjoy. (My humble POV which may or may not be shared.) Anyway - may a red hot chalk-duster of righteous wrath descend like a fiery meteorite and wipe the slate clean. Eurovision's days are numbered I hope. Despite that - and as unpopular as it may be here - I do like the Israeli song this year.

 

[Urobach]

Ukraine, Croatia or Ireland for me (where the heck did that Irish performance come from, I thought it was fantastic!)

 

[Trainguy34]

Croatia or Ireland for me (where the heck did that Irish performance come from, I thought it was fantastic!)

Very similar here, I liked those 2, Netherlands (Very annoyed about the disqualification), Finland and Switzerland. Ours was quite good but not the best.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Spain, Finland or Austria for me. Think Israel will do well.

 

[dangie]

Do the performers sing or mime?

 

[150249]

Song wise my favourites were France and Germany. Both had amazing songs and singers but performance wise my favourites were Ireland, Switzerland and Croatia

 

[dgl]

Do the performers sing or mime?

Lead vocals, at least, have to be live.

 

[ABB125]

Definitely appears to be some controversy around Israel's participation; attached is an Instagram story being shared on the subject.

Claims being made include:

• Anti-booing technology (whatever that is) being in use in the broadcast
• Audience mics being muted during Israel's performance
• Fake cheering being played

Meanwhile, it's also claimed that the Netherlands were disqualified for being anti-Israel, which seems to be spreading fake news...

(I appreciate this is not necessarily the best thread to discuss this topic, but it is relevant to Eurovision)

 

[theblackwatch]

Well I've probably already scored higher than the UK's entry will

Early on it looked like you were may well have been right. I'm sure I'm not the only person who would have actually been quite amused had the UK ended up with 'nil point'!

 

[Trainguy34]

WOW. I didn't think it was good but just Wow. And going from the Israeli points, I'm beginning to think bots were used..