It’s been days since their electrifying Söngvakeppnin victory and Iceland’s Hatari are already sparking debate internationally. On Sunday the leather-clad BDSM punk-rock-techno band gave an interview to Israeli TV station Channel 13. They were asked about politics and how they previously challenged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a good old traditional Icelandic trouser wrestling match. As you do.
Take a look at a video capturing the interview which has been uploaded to Youtube. Do not fear, there are English subtitles!
Their standpoint on the political situation in Israel is crystal clear. Have a read of the statements they made during their three-minute interview.
Quotes: Hatari Interview on Channel 13
“If Eurovision 2019 is not a political affair, then the Likud Party is a pop band and Netanyahu is the lead singer.”
“There was a lot of pressure in Iceland to boycott the competition. We have been critical of the competition being held in Israel, but the fact that Iceland voted for us means that they agree with our agenda of keeping alive a critical discussion.”
While the band have not yet revealed what they’ll be bringing to the stage in May, they did promise one thing: “I don’t think, as of now, there will be a Palestinian flag on the stage.”
“It is clear that all of the songs that will be performed on stage in Tel Aviv will in fact offend the sensibilities of many people.”
In what can be interpreted as a light-hearted remark, Hatari revealed they were still up for a wrestling match with the Israeli Prime Minister. However they clarified that this challenge is neither violent nor a threat.
All in all, the report is quite uncomfortable to watch. Neither sides held back. The TV station concluded their report by branding Hatari a gimmick that come May will simply amount to three minutes of airtime on the Tel Aviv stage, only in front of hundreds of millions of viewers.
The Israeli TV station were also quick to label the band as “weird” and “provocative” before pointing out the contradiction between Hatari’s “message of anti-capitalism” and their Sodastream advertising campaign. There was no question of whether the campaign may be ironic.
As with anything that’s subtitled, there’s room for interpretation and we’d love to hear what our readers think of the interview. However, to us it was quite clear that this Israeli media outlet considers their upcoming Eurovision appearance as a political protest against Israel, and Hatari won’t be softening their stance despite Eurovision always being a non-political event.
What do you think? Are Hatari delivering their political message well, or should they be leaving politics away from the Eurovision stage? Let us know in the comments!
Sorry Iceland, and I really hope you win because it is you… but… I really HATE your song, it gives me bad vibes, it is different… but a really bad different kind of song, and I don’t understand people who likes it (though I respect their taste, as I want mine to be respected)
I can’t stand this anymore…. dont juge israel, you don’t have the same problem…
You can’t see the all picture…
Yeah, Icealnd is not making illegal settlements in another country, so I guess you are right.
The media: ooo here are some artists with bdsm gear and edgy music. They plan to do smth controversial.
Why is it always that when you have someone even a bit edgy, the media jumps and judges them like they are the antichrist.
they know well they will be booed hard if they pull a trick to ignite political reactions like Palestinian flag. but I am sure they will try to get the attention of press in Tel Aviv like Silvia Night in Eurovision 2006 (Athens).
Not sure yet if they are completely trolling or if it’s somewhere between the line. The Icelandic broadcaster definitly approves their message and staging.
First, it’s called industrial, not punk-rock-techno.
Love them. Would be hilarious to see that flag on stage but as all rehearsals and staging are controlled…
This is much better than staying away from the contest. They’re going and they’re already giving them a hard time. Well done Hatari.
What is good about “giving them a hard time”? If you can’t leave politics out of the contest, stay home and grow up. And while you’re at it, educate yourself about antisemitism and how it is indeed antisemitic to focus all your “legitimate political criticism” on just one country, that happened to be the only Jewish country in the world.
I’m addicted to Hatari. I don’t remember being so exited about Eurovision like this year. I’m sure they will present to us the best show ever (with probably some controversy)
I don’t like their song at all. If people are fine with it, sure go for it, but they shouldn’t bring politics to Eurovision. I’d like to think of Eurovision as a light-hearted music festival that’s just about enjoying yourself and escaping from the world for a bit.
It’s no place for any band or singer to start rioting on stage and being so provocative. Even as a parody, politics shouldn’t be involved. They can keep their political views to themselves imo.
Eurovision has always been political from the start in 1956, why should this year be any different?
They should boycott first Palestinian government for opressing Jews and women , and Not even mention gays…
Hypocrites …
I love Hatari. Best entry ever
They are too smart compared to the other empty brains political correct singers. There will be controversy on stage for sure. They like Israel and Israeli people but it’s clear they don’t agree with the government.
maybe they like us because it’s trandy not to like us….
Do you think Salvador Sobral likes the song?
The hidden message I’m sure he loves 🙂
no doubt about it….
Music is not fireworks, music is feelings … And I feel much anger and desperation in this song and performance.
Realistically? I feel like the sound of the song and the style of singing wouldn’t be his thing since he doesn’t seem to favor loud/hard music much. But he’d still probably have respect for the message and what these guys are trying to do at least.
The Winners. Performance on point different from all the boring ballads and deja vu commercial music like Cyprus. On the big stage they will kill even more I’m sure. Smart hidden message, smart guys.
Loreen was being political in Baku, come show time she kept her mouth shut.
If Australia don’t win, I want Iceland to win.
It’s clear the Israeli Propaganda Machine (Israel Media) are doing their best to belittle Hatari, yet calling them a novelty act and such is the exact way people would have described Netta.
They can go to the final but do not go much further.
This is horrendussssssssssssssss
They’re gonna win.
I like them but they should give up trying to be satirical. Now is serious. Don’t insult our intelligence. I’m tired of my messages being censored for no reason. Go back to the former comment template.
When Israel was contemplating sending a comedic act this year in the form of the overblown Shefita, I said that would be a huge mistake because even if Rotem (the woman behind the charachter) doesn’t mean it to be racist or insulting, it’s all about how she’s being perceived by viewers. The same is true for Hatari. Even if they are only a satirical act, as many of you believe, the question is whether they come off as offensive which to many people they do. On top of that, I am all but certain that Hatari will go rogue during… Read more »
They are not going to be wellcomed in Tel Aviv it seems. Anyway, I don’t like the political factor this entry is obtaining. Eurovision is non political (mostly) and it should remain like that. I have had enough with Ukraine. The gropu is provocative and a parody at the same time, I like them, I like the song. Just don’t take it too far.
Do you not pay attention to the world events. Ever since Israel won they Israeli Media has been ramping up the propaganda.
You’re not original, Hatari 😛
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePQ9_re7f1A
It’s the Post-Post Modern World, literally nothing is original.
reminder to y’all that they’re a parody band and these provocations are only meant to provoke and will go nowhere
I realise that, but I also don’t think they need to be a parody. Parodies are usually more obvious and actually funny. The semi performance (at the Nationals) in particular comes across as frighteningly abrupt – more like an actual warning. One laughs in irony of them being at Eurovision, but the message of the song is not a joke. I honestly think they could drop the parody acting and go with the performance they have as a serious statement. They have great art, and it works so well.
Netta was a parody of a chicken and she still won.
well i already hear the loud boooooooooooooo when they will be on the stage, good luck with that….
No. The EBU eliminated the boos because of Russia. No boos.
Trust me they will be big boooooo….not only on the stage.
They come to do provocation on the back of Israel so they will get what they deserve big time, the israelis will not forget their words
LOL. They’re just opposing the Israeli government and what’s wrong with that? Freedom of speech??? Loreen also made some negative comments on Azerbaijani government back in 2012. Noone booed her.
Yeah, but when it’s Israel, we are not supposed to say anything..
I dont care about politics, their song is just not good…
Listen to it again.
OMG the way they just read from a paper a propganda statement someone else wrote for them its just too emberssaing to watch… from their interviews it sounds they dont really understand in politics, espically Israeli politicis, and they just being used as propganda tool… very sad.
That’s what they literally want, they INTEND to look cringy. They’re a parody of pseudo-intellectual artists (or generally people) who pride themselves with making bold political statements while not even practising what they preach. Even their SodaDream campaign is a parody of “Fiji Water” and “SodaStream”. The guys are big trolls, but there’s always a grain of truth in satire.
Silvia Night was not political, if I remember correctly, but apparently audience didn’t like troll act
Silvia Night was another example of a parody act that took the parody beyond the stage and into rehearsals, interviews, and press conferences, which quickly took it from a funny gimmick to incredibly grating. There are lots of similar examples sure, but for an example of why it didn’t work, look at Lordi from the same year. Even when they stayed in their makeup and whatnot, they treated everyone nicely. Silvia kept up the spoiled brat act even in rehearsals. Do stagehands need to deal w that? No, no they don’t. So I’m hoping this group is more a Lordi… Read more »
I LOVE HATARI! ???
Offence is slightly different to what they are singing about though. (I can’t use the actual word, or I get filtered.) What made me laugh was the idea that someone could be offended by the Danish entry when it is deliberately written to include everyone in its lyrics. Love is for everyone, literally. Oh I have an idea now, let’s put the cannot-be-named country’s song immediately before Denmark in the running order and see which one wins. They are literally polar opposite songs. It’ll be a laugh. 😀
All cool. Offence is directly proportional to a person’s sensitivities. One cannot exist without the other, so to speak. So are the band (name avoided) in fact raising the matter of sensitivities rather than offence? Food for thought.
They’re playing satirical characters guys, it’s part of their act. If you’d watch their interviews, you’d get it. I hope Wiwi writes an article about this, because people are clearly getting confused and angry for no reason.
Just watch this interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY7r8nUjjBc
and tell me if they’re not the ultimate trolls 😀 They’re just acting guys and they’re on character all the time with all the anti-capitalistic and political thing. It’s all part of their satiric act. I know that we love drama, but we’re not gonna get drama from Hatari, just some absurd statements and laughter along with it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4WkVxHpUGU
So you’re saying they’re three levels deep: satirizing fascists who satirize to be communists, although for real they’re just creating a fun little show out of pouring vinegar and salt into a deep open wound, which is the ongoing multilateral war/political crisis, taking place in the current Eurovision Host country? Much wow, such genius, very progressive.
Yes, that’s what you call dark humour.
I hope all of you will be amused from your homes watching these clowns on tv and their ”political” statements. Shame, people are actually dying somewhere. No politics in Eurovision!
Yet, and the Israeli military is killing some of those people. No one is free from criticism.
Omg, I want to kill him. What he knows about Israel?What he knows about “Halikud”?? Go back to your country if you think that Israel is so criminal. And I know that the artistic way is a good way for protest , but the nonsense they are saying are annoying and hurting. If you want to protest about something , make a video and predicate your sayings and reasons. From an Israeli, of course.
You’re too close to see the genocide. Multiculturalism is the way of the future and no one group has the right to create a homogeneous nation.
Mark, That a lot more complicated then what you’re representing.
I’m divided….
On the one hand, I won’t stand politics at Eurovision
Also, Israeli people will really stand against a Palestinian flag on stage so they should be careful with it, most likely to speak against it are the politicians thoigh
On the other hand, their song is in my 1st place so far xD I’m Israeli, but I’m a Eurovision fan and I judge music as music, without politics
But please, Hatari, don’t make it political 🙁
When you have time, please check their interviews on youtube(they have subtitles). Also the moment when they were announced winners and other interviews and you’ll realize that it’s just an act and they are really funny. They’re art school students and they’re on character all the time. It’s like they’re ‘acting’ to be a very serious BDSM band with a clear political plan for Eurovision. Even the Icelandic journalists know this and they play along with them.
They’re the ultimate trolls seriously! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY7r8nUjjBc
There’s that lyric from Denmark again. (“Don’t get too political.”) On the nose.
Israel is hosting Eurovision; a contest created to promote peace yet Israel is an apartheid state. It’s been political since day dot.
Mark, you’re talking bs. First, there can’t be apartheid against people who don’t belong to your state. Second, beyond terminology, fighting an exterior enemy doesn’t have anything to do with apartheid or racism. It is merely survival. 20% of Israel are Arabs with fully equal rights.
Don’t misuse the word apartheid. It’s insulting to the people who actually lived under it.
i wonder what Shefita says about them
What they don’t seem to understand is that the main reason the contest is supposed to be non-political is not only that politics can be offensive, but that it would influence the voting and turn the SONG contest into a political competition.
So if they really go in that anti-israel direction, they get a bigger appeal to televoters and judges who are critical of Israel, too, and that is cheating and should be banned. Convince us with your song, voice and performance, nothing else.
Ah yes, because politics hasn’t influenced the voting at eurovision at all… Armenia and Azerbaijan always vote based on song quality, so do Cyprus and Greece, and Russia only gets high scores from Belarus and other nations close to it etc because they have good songs and never because of political voting… Russia vs Ukraine 2016 being political? Never…
Israel is the most politically invest country in the contest. Don’t forget they have issues with the French representative because of his race.
Mark, enough with your fake information in every post here. Bilal Hasani was just in Israel to film his postcard and he was welcomed with warm love.
Who is ready to see Iceland get booed again? I have nothing against the song but it will be another Silvia Night moment.?
No. EBU removed the boos because of Russia. No boos.
Truly they are the children of Silvia Night, I love them.
I was just thinking of that. People didn’t get the joke back then that Silvia was just a character.
Silvia should have won.
They are Smart and have a good song So i am sure Will be on the left hand of the scorecard. Eurovision needs then more than ever now especilaly when i listen to all of these average songs and Fuego wannabies. It won’t be fanwank which is good for once. Well Done Iceland!
I think that they just by competing are protesting. Like an anti- capitalist band competing in the most commercial contest ever, that is the protest. Obviously they know they are bound by RUV and EBU to play by the books or get banned. They agreed to follow the rules when they chose to take part in the selection. Otherwise they wouldn’t take part.
Usually, news reports aren’t supposed to give an opinion on behalf of the station that airs it on the item they’re reporting on so yep…
Who cares? They won’t make the final anyway.
Clearly this is an unpopular opinion, but I find it beyond inappropriate of them to use their participation to take digs at the host country. The EBU rules are very clear that politics has no place in the contest, even if they’ve been inconsistent in enforcing this. I hope RÚV or the EBU has a word with them before things get out of hand.
Yup, let’s stifle freedom of speech in the name of eurovision!
No one is forcing them to participate. They chose to join a contest that explicitly forbids them from politicizing their presence in it, and they likely already signed a contract saying as such.
Obviously politics is allowed. Ebu had no issues with jamala’s political song, and even worse – she won.
Again, just because the EBU is inconsistent in enforcing its rules doesn’t mean the rules aren’t there (check out rule 2.6). Jamala pretended her song was purely about a historical event, whereas Hatari is very clear they’re planning to create a “critical discussion” about Israel today. I think Jamala should have been disqualified or forced to change her song, but this is much more cut and dry.
Why do i even bother to say anything here. I’ve written a lengthy reply and it’s missing . Wiwibloggs keep censoring me and I’m tired. I could post it again because i saved it but it’s going to get deleted again so why bother. I wish there were private messages here. Long story short, once you make a precedent you make it a rule. Ebu made their own bed and now anything can happen.
Ooh, Hatari is playing a dangerous game. Let’s hope it doesn’t go too far over the line. I don’t want them banned from entry.
On unrelated matter, i love your nick!
You mean my nickname moniker? Why, thank you! I am a big Doctor who fan and I just made a puny name out of the arc words “bad wolf” and my surname. I have been obsessed with matching up Doctor Who characters with Eurovision songs that I think will be great themes for them. I’ve actually made a playlist of fitting Eurovision songs for all the thirteen and war Doctor incarnations. Just type up Doctor Who Eurovision themes in YouTube or Spotify and you’re there. There is some differences due to availability of certain songs on Spotify, but overall consistent.
we’d make a good friends i guess, both of us are really into dw and eurovision 🙂 i didn’t like season 11, dropped it after episode 5. rtd girl here but i like moffat too.
sadly spotify isn’t available in my country so i won’t be able to listen to you amazing playlists 🙂
I have my doctor who eurovision themes playlist on YouTube. If your country has access to YouTube, that’s where you can find it.
Who’s your Doctor? Mine is the tenth Doctor and I am also a fan of the RTD era.
This made me laugh: “It is clear that all of the songs that will be performed on stage in Tel Aviv will in fact offend the sensibilities of many people.”
Well one would have to be incredibly sensitive to be offended by Denmark’s entry, LOL!
Also: Sodastream! That takes me back to the 80s, my goodness! 🙂
I’m offended by how nauseatingly sweet Denmark’s entry is ngl
Not funny, i got diabetes from Denmarks entry.
Also, Israel shouldn’t complain if they use a controversial flag. So did they, when PingPong waved Syrian flags along with Israeli ones at the end of “Sameach.” (‘Course, this got them disowned by the broadcaster, and also they were awful, so bad comparison).
Where’d my first comment go? I didn’t even say the name of the country or the band!
Yeah, that group got in major trouble.
Sorry, what are you talking about?
Hey, Bibi is getting indicted anyway. What does he have to lose? I will say it’s a wee bit interesting to see people totally chill with Iceland bringing politics into their entry when they bristled at the whole Ukrainian debacle, but they seem pretty well-spoken and no doubt are gonna cut an interesting figure when they take the stage in May. I do get the same kinda vibes that Lordi gave off back in ’06, but “Hatrid mun sigra” doesn’t quite have the massive hook “Hard Rock Hallelujah” did. Then again, if Eurovision has taught me anything, the only thing… Read more »
Probably a double standard between western and Eastern European countries.
Well, I think with Ukraine, politics was forced upon Maruv who just wanted to perform (and the disgusting conditions in the contract didn’t help). And the broadcaster really screwed things up.
They are extremely smart and I’m sure they will put the politics somewhere, but in an intelligent way that doesn’t hurt their country on ESC and outside ESC. They will make their show, they will give their message about love and hate and they will use interviews to express their concerns, and it’s valid and I applaud them.
they said ON STAGE. But what about green room, like Iveta?
Portugal and iceland
France, Romania, Ukraine, now Iceland. Let the Eurovision Drama Contest begin!
Dang, these guys sure know how to promote and sell themselves despite being anti-capitalists lol
They’re already making this year so much fun
Remember guys: dare to dream, Sodastream. *Holds up bottle and looks at camera*
Those who fear a political statement in their performance don’t really understand what their intentions are.
Thank you for reading this comment. Fancy a sip of Sodadream? Sodadream, Dare to dream.
I have nothing against them sending a political message. It’s an issue they clearly care a lot. Using the Eurovision to send a message is not wrong at all. Like many singers and actors use their platforms to send messages about social injustices they care.