A Eurovision Song Contest host has withdrawn from this year’s competition, vowing to boycott the event in 2024 due to Israel’s involvement.
Gísli Marteinn Baldursson, a broadcaster for Iceland’s station RÚV, has provided Eurovision commentary for the country’s broadcasts from 1995 to 2003, and then from 2016 to 2023.
However, he is leaving his position this year due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has killed over 33,000 Palestinians and injured an additional 75,000 in Gaza.
Baldursson, 52, announced his plans to boycott on Instagram, saying [in translation]: ‘To answer those who have asked: I will not cover Eurovision this year.
‘The reason is Israel’s actions in Gaza and the competition’s response to it, mainly the lack thereof.
‘For me, Eurovision is about atmosphere and joy, and I feel neither in this year’s competition.’
Baldursson, who has also presented his own discussion programmes, briefly entered politics, serving as a city representative for the Independence Party on the Reykjavik City Council from 2006 until 2013, before returning to television.
He now hosts a Sunday morning conversation show as well as a Friday news programme, where he also serves as chief editor.
Hera Bjork will represent Iceland at the upcoming 68th Song Contest with the song Scared of Heights.
Over 2,000 musicians from Iceland, Finland, and Sweden have signed open letters calling for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision.
Protests in certain nations have demanded for Israel’s suspension from the Song Contest due to reprisal attacks in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began on October 7.
Stars such as Dame Helen Mirren, Boy George, and Sharon Osbourne have signed an open letter in favour of Israel’s participation. The letter was posted by non-profit Creative Community For Peace, which campaigns against cultural boycotts of Israel.
There was further controversy around Israel’s entry, Eden Golan’s song October Rain, which had lyrics that depicted the scenario surrounding the Hamas onslaught, which killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped hundreds more.
Israel’s public broadcaster Kan later agreed to change the lyrics to the song, and said they had reached out to the songwriters to ‘readjust the texts, with full artistic freedom’ before being sent to the Eurovision Broadcasting Union for approval.
Their entry had come under fire after lyrics in the song prompted accusations that they are ‘spreading propaganda’ and that they contain a political message with reference to the Hamas attacks, with Golan having previously dedicated the track to the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, saying: ‘We won’t truly be OK until everyone returns home.’
Lyrics in October Rain originally included: ‘There’s no air left to breathe / No place, no me from day to day.’
Meanwhile, the UK’s entry, Olly Alexander, has responded to calls to boycott.
The 33-year-old Years & Years vocalist will represent the UK at the competition in Sweden in May, performing his song Dizzy.
Last year, the BBC was pushed to replace him as the act after he apparently signed a declaration blaming Israel of genocide in Gaza in an open letter describing Israel as having a ‘apartheid regime’ that ‘acts to ethnically cleanse the land.’
In response to boycott requests, he and other entrants from Ireland, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Switzerland, Denmark, Lithuania, and Finland sent their own letter to address the situation.
The statement read: ‘We want to begin by acknowledging the privilege of taking part in Eurovision.
‘In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza, and in Israel, we do not feel comfortable being silent. It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages.
— olly alexander (@alexander_olly) March 29, 2024
‘We stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and islamophobia.’
It continued: ‘We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections.
‘We feel it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.’
The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final takes place on Saturday, May 11.