If Israel takes part in Eurovision 2024, then Iceland should withdraw. That’s the message from the Icelandic Society of Authors and Composers — or Félag tónskálda og textahöfunda (FTT). The group made the call on Monday in a strongly worded Facebook post.
The group also said that it had contacted RÚV, the Icelandic national broadcaster, to make its point. They communicated their wish that Iceland not participate unless Israel is disqualified or withdraws.
The broadcaster has not responded publicly.
“The FTT calls on RÚV not to participate in Eurovision in 2024 unless Israel is denied participation in the competition on the same grounds as Russia in the 2022 contest.”
“We all have a duty to take a stand against war and the killing of civilians and innocent children. We always have the choice not to put our name to such things, whether we are individuals or state institutions.”
“We owe it to the nations that act with military force to not share with them in an event that is always characterised by joy and optimism.”
Of course all the boycotters forget that gaza govt hamas attacked israel and have been doing so since they came into power. Just like russia attacked ukraine.
Great news, no one wants terror supporters at eurivision, stay at home iceland, stupid people
Truth hurts…
The present war in Gaza is the result of barbarian Hamas invading Israel, killing 1300 Israelis and kidnapping more than 200 declaring their intent to do it again and again until all Jews are dead.
The present war in Ukraine is the result of barbarian Russia invading Ukraine. Totally without prior provocation.
If the Icelanders don’t see the difference the only conclusion is that all the volcanic gases have mushed their brain cells.
well their most successful entry is called “hatred will prevail” not surprised by their statement.
They came 4th in 2021, and Hatari was 10th
This is hypocrisy because of 2 reasons:
1. They also threatened to boycott Tel Aviv 2019 even though back then there wasn’t even a war or tension
2. They never called to boycott Azerbaijan due to its conflict with Armenia or Turkey due to N Cyprus crisis etc
Bottom line – they hate Israel that’s it
yes ofc, there was no decades long “tention” back in 2019
About time EBU bans T supporting countries (e.g. Iceland)
This Icelandic statement, shows and confirms that Iceland is a terror suppporting country (not to mention total ignorance of basic historical facts – failure of their education system).
Israel should demand now the EBU to BAN any terror supporting countries to participate!! Aka – Bye, bye Iceland! Only peace seeking countries ought to participate. Iceland is NOT in that group!
Iceland’s comment is a pathetic, meaningless and empty threat without substance. We’ll see Iceland still competing anyway because we saw how they didn’t chicken out in 2019.
Given the absolute and utter lack of intelligence from human society as a whole (especially in the current era), Israel is better off if it doesn’t compete, just for the sake of the poor soul(s) that end(s) up representing Israel on the biggest stage imagineable…
At worst blame the government, not the general populice. Whoever sings for Israel, is just another living person with no say in any political agenda
Many former Israeli participants in ESC have made political gestures in favour of the right wing Govt of Israel from Noa Kirel, Netta and Dana International.
None of them did.
Netta met with the prime minister after she won but it was more about him honoring her. She recently sang in the protest against the current government (as did Gali Atari and Eden Alene).
Noa made no gesture toward the government and Dana International is famously left wing and previously took part in the Israeli labor party campaign.
The only Eurovision former participant I can think of who’ve shown support in Netanyahu is Sarit Hadad from 2002, and even that was more than ten years ago, before he veered toward the extreme right.
The day Palestinians drop their weapons there will be peace. The war Israelis drop their weapons there will be no Israel
Icelandic people are gorgeous to look at so by that virtue alone, Israel should be banned.
Lol, Israelis are much more beautiful!!!!!
The Ayrans are better than the untermunchen, huh?
Ahmed, Israel is a great country, free and very liberal
Well we didn’t expect much from Iceland anyway. Your bias and double standard towards Israel is well known. So what if Russia was not provoked and Israel is merely trying to disarm a terror group that just slaughtered over 1200 people in the most brutal ways and kidnapped over 200? Promising it would do it again and again and using their civilians as human shields? Icelanders, one day you might learn what it is to fight for your survival. For now, avoid Eurovision all you want – your choice indeed.
Who puts on a music festival right on the border of the worlds biggest open air prison? Don’t pretend Israel are innocent precious lambs. Israel’s slaughter of 20,000 makes your 1200 look like childs play.
You are so stupid and clueless
about time some there was some pressure on national broadcasters to call for Israel’s exclusion
Let’s face it….
ICELAND is a country preoccupied with whales and dodging volcanoes. That’s pretty much it.
ISRAEL is a country preoccupied with actual survival.
Anti israel is the not so new form of antisemitism.
The difference is Iceland is a civilized country with morals and principals. Israel on the otherhand is a country that is being investigated for war crimes and that was before October 7… oh and also uncivilized.
Iceland is racist
Naah. This is just a biased, one sided propaganda. One day you might face real threats and then we will talk.
lol….
all the civilized clutter came from the Jews, without us , all the world was still a pagan barbaric world.
Christianity is just a low cost version of us….
Are you a bot? Because no Israeli says that.
these people do not complain about other war-mongering countries. iceland happily participated in the soccer championship in russia back for example. when you take an anti-war stance like this you either condemn everything or nothing. israel is only getting a special treatment because the media loves reporting about it but if you stand against it then you should also stand against other countries that are involved in wars around the world and destabilizing entire regions.
Exactly!
They complain only when its Israel and jews, you know how to call this pepole
..
You are 100% correct!
Iceland’s football delegation are separate from Iceland’s political and musical scene.
The right thing to do is to support Israel in its war against terror and radical Islam. Israeli Jews are fighting for their lives and for their very right to exist as a nation in their homeland (and I’m saying that from a liberal and fair stance, without undermining the rights of the Palestinians to exist). We’re fighting on all fronts – against Hamas and the Palestinians obviously (the vast majority of which in Gaza and the West Bank do not accept that very basic right of us to exist, support Hamas and its terroristic ways of resistance and historically… Read more »
“We all have a duty to take a stand against war and the killing of civilians and innocent children. We always have the choice not to put our name to such things, whether we are individuals or state institutions.” – Icelandic Society of Authors and Composers
What a group of hypocrites! I don’t see them complaining about Azerbaijan. They are very happy to close their eyes to that and point fingers elsewhere!
Azerbuyjan Didnt Target Ciwilian Peoples And Especially Children . Izrael Did . Not Even Russia Has Killed This Many Inocent Children . They Are Both Corupt Nations But Izrael Is Comiting Much Worse Crimes And Is Doing Is As I Type This .
If you do not know, you can’t talk facts. Thousands of civilians (including children) were targeted, tortured and killed. Some civilians are missing or taken hostage with no confirmation. 150,000 people were forced to flee their homeland or died. What else should have azerbuyjan done? Double standards when it comes to the international community to condemn crimes against humanity.
Iceland has an automatic button pressed when Israel is mentioned….as if they know what is the real story….what would they do if they were in the situation Israel is facing???
Iceland calls out a state engaged in genocide, and terminally online Eurofans froth at the mouth about “politicizing” Eurovision. Some of you need to sort your priorities out.
Bye Bye Iceland, its ok , any way you are not that good.
Kudos to the Icelandic songwriters for doing the right thing!
The right thing being supporting literal terrorists as evil as ISIS
Israel is a terrorist state imposing apartheid. They are resisting.
Rape is not resistance.
what a stupid thing to say! come and see the arabs in israel….
israel is a country with people who love life and who want to live in peace with their neighbours…
the neighbours, apparently, are eager to kill and become Jihadist…
Iceland’ please donate money to this people to kill us again
Hope all contries will boycot Israel because what is happening in Pale stinians territories is geno cide like Hit lers maked to Je ws befor 70 years ago..Shame on Europe and other contries that support Is rael
Ha mas knew this would happen. If you’re looking for the complaint department, knock at their door.
another smart person who doesnt know anything
Iceland calling for boycotting Israel for fighting a terror organisation that kidnapped more than 240 civilians and slaughtered more than 1400. What a joke Iceland
yeah what a joke NOT, Israel whom are about to break the cease fire again so they can continue with all the bloodshed in gaza, a majority of countries voted for the cease fire and the israeli representative at the UN basically laughed it off like ”we don’t care about this vote”
but yeah iceland withdraws and EBU will still Israel take part because money talks, this basically proves EBU disliked Russia, Belarus from the very beginning they took part in this contest
Thank you Iceland! A trully civilized state giving the example of empathy for all the victimes of the Gaza Genocide and EBU’s double standards (see Russia-Israel)
I don’t think we’ll have any countries left in Eurovision in 10 years… it’s a dying, greatly political contest. And it’s sad.
Bye Bye Iceland, won’t miss ya
Yeah its great news, no one wants terror supporters at eurovision
Cancel the national selection and let RUV choose Hatari internally. That will have the same effect. And a possible televote winner
The televote winner will be Israel..If you like it or not, mark my words 🙂
Im not so sure. You know Israel is committing a genocide and people in Europe has noticed. Good luck qualifying from the semi!
Repeating a lie 10 times do not make it a truth
Israel already won “the rest of the world” vote… just sayin’ 🙂
For the love of god, I’d rather jump off a building than hear those screeching demons again. No, thank, you
People in Iceland can boycott Israel by not voting on them, so Iceland can still participate.
No opinion from me, for me the worst country will stay Russia.
Israel vs Pala = a difficult conflict with many parts and many stupids.
Exactly. russia has been attacking its neighbors for hundreds of years, committed countless ethnical cleansings. Israel vs Palestine is such a mild conflict, it’s getting way too much attention.
You call the biggest body count (over 15k on Pale side in just under 3 months) registered in recent history, a mild conflict?
We all know what they think of Israel… Nothing new.
The hypocrisy though is something else, because Israel has taken part for 50 years now and it’s always been the situation here – lots of wars, so what happened now?
Not willing to participate if Israel is there too but they were willing to compete in Tel Aviv?
Just a joke, a bad one as well…
They should understand the differences between Israel and Russia and understand why Israel is allowed to compete, unlike Russia who simply invaded Ukraine because of Putin, for no reason.
Actually, Iceland didn’t confirm participating at Eurovision 2019 until Israel announced Tel Aviv as the host city. If Jerusalem have chosen, I think Iceland would’ve withdrawn.
Tel Aviv is Israel and it seems they have a problem with Israel, so simply hypocrisy.
Also, Jerusalem is our capital, whether they accept it or not (and anyway, not a city that fits modern Eurovision anyway)
How pathetic can one be; After all, according to the same reasoning and logic, the same union in Iceland will demand that their broadcasting authority withdraw from the competition because of Ukraine, since it is defending itself against Russia in a war it did not start. And it (Ukraine) even carries out offensive actions against Russia. Can we ask the same union of creators who started a brutal and cruel war on 7/10/23? Who violated the ceasefire on Friday a week and a half ago? This is a quote from what the union in Iceland published: “For their part, countries… Read more »
Also, going by that quote, they should make Azerbaijan leaving one of their conditions as well. And what about Russia in the past? Or France sending troops to Libya?
This is just a poor excuse to hate on Israel.
Ukraine is not engaged in genocide. Israel is, however much you want to pretend otherwise.
Read what I wrote again, Israel was attacked, Hamas is the one who committed genocide on 7/10/23.
Likewise, those who are engaged in genocide will not distribute leaflets throughout Gaza to the citizens living there in order to convince them to move south towards Rafah on the Egyptian border, the citizens in Gaza are used by the terrorists as a human shield, even US President Joe Biden referred to this in his speech.
Iceland has a long history with anti-Semitism. Every year in the 40 days before Easter, Iceland’s public radio broadcasts readings of church hymns written in the 17th century by an anti-Semitic priest named Halgrimor Patterson. The hymns are read by prominent figures in the Icelandic public, and they ooze hatred for Jews. Example: “The heads of the Jews all demanded / to immediately crucify Jesus / a life-prince will be their prey / and the murderer will live”. The Wiesenthal Center tried to convince them to stop this practice, but in vain. There were Icelanders in the ranks of the… Read more »
Who cares ??
Yes please! I would be happy if Ireland would leave as well, that way there would be less negative energy in the contest.
Ireland should be eliminated for its boring songs…..
Make my blood boil.
We get it, you hate Jews, hide behind the word zionists.
I buried my friends in the past 2 months.
You’re so so woke congratulations.
I give you one week in southern Israel.
This is war, there are no winners, so please please for the love of God.
Cut us some slack and let us enjoy something nice for once.
Because while you’re busy with your petitions on your safe home I sit in a bomb shelter and hope I won’t die.
Of course, the usual w0ke stunt from Iceland…
yeah those icelandic wokies try to seek attention with their hate for israel
Of course, the usual woke stunt from Iceland…
Iceland and Ireland are 2 of the worst countries for anti semtisism in Europe today.
As many have said already, they much quieter on Russia, Azerbaijan and Qatar (world cup) but quick off the mark to attack Israel when they are defending themselves from a terror regime.
Iceland supported Ukraine at least…
Palestinians are semantic as well
The term “antisemitism” historically was used to describe racism against Jews. So while technically Arabs are semantic as well, this term doesn’t really talk about them because this term has a rich history that has nothing to do with the Arabs.
This is a semantic discussion, but perhaps you mean “semitic”.
You need to give your head a wobble. Criticizing Israel does not make you an anti-Semite, just as criticising Iran does not make you an Islamophobe.
Exactly. This comment section is filled with bots.
“HATRID MUN SIGRA!!!!”
That’s what you get when you allow stunts like what they did in 2019 to go unanswered.
In any case it’s fascinating to see the selectiveness of when moral stance is taken with Iceland. They didn’t have any issues with Qatar in 2022 and they were only the 9th country to boycott Russia at the 2022 Eurovision (and only under pressure of all the other Nordics) but somehow with Israel they are always ready to be holier than thou and take a moral stand.
Sorry, but I don’t by a moral high ground when it’s that inconsistent.
I clicked +1 like, and it somehow shows -1, although the + marked in Green. Maybe the “like tool” also got hypocritical and anti like those Iceland’s artists? So, like for your comment.
Finally SOMEONE took a stand! Hopefully broadcasters take notes.
Fantastic! I don’t wan’t them in the contest as well 🙂
What to say about that…. 2024 will be a year full of polemics, it’s obvious now, we’re not even in 2024 and it’s already starting on all sides… it’s promising.
What if we focused on the music and the artists only…
Well the fact the contest is meant to be about peace and unity, we can’t have a country in the contest that has carpet bombed and used white phosphorus to kill nearly 20k people, more civilians than Russia has done in Ukraine in 2 years.
Now is a good time for Hatari to re-enter the contest
Yeah, cause their lame flag waving done so much for the Palestinians. Look at them thriving like never before.
At least it was a sign of solidarity. And a symbolic gesture, also accompanied with the essence of the song. And it was way more than the complete nothingness all those Western people who choose to turn a blind eye to the issue do. Of course it’s no solution but for justice to prevail, awareness needs to be raised.
Signs of solidarity don’t worth sh*t. Those are empty gestures that have no actual effect during a time of war.
especially when they were gutless enough to only wave the flag AFTER the voting had been closed and the results calculated. their gesture was indeed lame as you said. theirs was a non-statement basically…
Watch them landslide the televote!
Honestly, I feel like this is probably the best response, in a sense. Icelandic participation is maintained and we get an act with a message of (at least implied) protest included.
I still remember the tens of thousands of Icelandic fans swarming the stadiums in Russia during the 2018 world cup. Despite pleads of Ukrainians to boycott the event after the annexation of Crimea. Filthy double standards that smell of antisemitism.
Icelanders love to virtue signal, are you surprised?
I love reading all the comments saying Israel should be banned from ESC, yet for all the years prior to this they never had a problem with them participating. It’s like suddenly Israel is so bad. Get a grip. What was Israel supposed to do on 7 October? Just stand by and let the events happen? And I suppose that people aren’t even reading that Israel is telling the Palestinians to move away from areas that they are bombing so they can try to eliminate Hamas, a terrorist organisation intent on committing genocide by wanting to eliminate the Jews. I… Read more »
“People turned a blind eye to Israel’s open war crimes for years, so they should keep doing it” is not the argument you think it is. Additionnally, people have been raising the issue for at least as long as I’ve been following the contest, but it wasn’t until last year that Russia being banned set the precedent that the EBU would actually do something like that. But all the attention was on Russia, so when people said “what about Israel and Azerbaijan who also do these things?” nobody paid us any mind. But now that Israel has escalated the violence… Read more »
They’ve always been bad! We should stop sending them and their puppet businessmen money!
I have always said that Israel shouldn’t be allowed to compete.
Also, everything you said about the genocide is problematic.
Well killing 20k women and children by carpet bombing and using white phosphorus against civilians and also in Lebanon yesterday isn’t self defence.
We had a similar situation in 2019, Iceland didn’t withdraw, and their journey that year was very unique to say the least
They’re gonna participate, of course, and I’m very curious what their 2024 journey will look like, hopefully less controversial this time around haha
I was expecting something like this from Iceland but my guess is it’s gonna pass like nothing happened. Paul Oskar was very outspoken in 2012 and urged the broadcaster to boycott Eurovision in Azerbaijan. Of course, this is a group and I don’t know how big it is and who is in there and if they hold any power. But I do wonder if it might have consequences for their NF. The Icelandic society of authors and composers, if all the good authors and composers of Iceland are in this group and they refuse to submit songs, the NF could… Read more »
Surely any composer who entered Söngvakeppnin is still free to pull out of it again at this point. So if those songwriters planned to take part, they should simply do as they say and retire their songs from the competition. But if it’s none of their business anyway … well, it’s simply none of their business, nor their decision to make.
But if they did that, nobody would care or notice. Nowadays, no-one stands up for something unless they get to be seen standing up for that something.
More like ‘nowadays people permanently meddle with other people’s matters’. In the end, it’s solely upon RUV to decide whether Iceland does or doesn’t take part. And I think it’s very disrespectful by those songwriters not to let RUV decide for itself.
It is really shameful and ironic Israel performing in Malmö, a city with quite high Muslim population. I don’t know about Iceland, hope they boycott it but I will boycott Eurovision myself this year. Israel is disgraceful
So you plan to boycott this year’s contest, yet come here regularly to comment on news? I assume you’re a very credible person …
Well, people can still enjoy the NF season. Frankly, the NFs have become more joyful for me than the actual Eurovision. But not because of Israel, I find the voting and the general direction EBU is taking Eurovision hard to stomach. But the NF season and entry reveals are still exciting nonetheless.
Well you see, those of us who will boycott the show if Israel competes do need to follow the news to see if they do get kicked out or withdraw. Additionally, if we leave the fandom alltogether, then the only people left will be the genocide deniers and the apathetic. And that would make for an even worse echo chamber than already exists in this space.
Wow, thanks for your service
I do not come often to comment here, sorry. You must have mistaken me by someone else.
Ugh bore off ! One less person who is brainwashed, it’s so sad seeing the awful regime in hamas killing then innocent people and people can justify it ! Only side you should be on is the innocent people in Isreal and Gaza not the barbarians hamas or the awful right winged government in Isreal!. So please boycott this year I hope not to see your comments again.
I think they would say the same with you!
Good morning, not just Malmo, but the whole of Europe is now full of Muslims.
Why is that a reason Israel shouldn’t compete?
Sounds a lot like the immigrants are taking control of European countries now. What a shame.
Europe has been always having immigrants, especially since the colonialism started. Yes Europe has a lot of Muslims who contribute to our societies. It is not a shame. You are just racist. So find a utopian island only with your own kind.
Can we get mods here?
so because a bunch of poorly-integrated people from third world countries happens to live in that city then israel shouldn’t participate because most of its people happen to belong to a religion that said immigrants cannot accept? maybe they should leave the civilized parts of the world entirely lol
Won’t happen. We’ll see Iceland in Malmö
I absolutely agree, we do have a duty to take a stand against war and the killing of civilians and innocent children, which is why we must support Israel in its fight against terrorists.
I support neither of them. I am a Christian, supporter of Jesus. Jesus said to love thy neighbour and to promote peace!
It’s ironic since christianity caused thousands of wars, genocides and suffering for hundreds of years lol
It’s ironic since christianity caused thousands of wars, geno cides and suffering for hundreds of years lol
I think you’ll find Israel has killed way more women & children
Antisemitic racists. Better for Eurovision without them… I wish Iceland would retire and free us from their double standards