Finland national selection participant Jesse Markin says he won’t go to Eurovision if Israel is allowed to compete.
Less than 24 hours after he was revealed as a one of this year’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu entrants, Markin took to Instagram to share his stance on the situation in Gaza.
“It’s important to highlight these human rights issues,” Markin said in an Insta reel. “This doesn’t mean I don’t want to participate or I won’t give UMK my 100%.”
View this post on Instagram
Jesse Markin is not the only UMK participant to call for Israel’s removal from the contest, Sini Sabotage also told the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper that, “I am of the opinion that Israel should not participate in Eurovision, but unfortunately I cannot make that decision myself.”
The pair join a growing list of voices within the Eurovision world, calling for Israel to be barred by the EBU. Last year’s French entrant, La Zarra, and the Icelandic Society of Authors and Composers have already publicly voiced their concerns.
The EBU released a statement in December saying that Israel’s broadcaster “complies with all competition rules” and remains eligible for Eurovision 2024. The EBU also pointed to Israel’s participation in other international competitions, noting that they have not been excluded from other events.
“At the moment there is an inclusive attitude towards Israeli participants in major competitions,” it said. “The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event, uniting audiences worldwide through music.”
It comes as the International Court of Justice in The Hague considers whether Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people. The Israeli military campaign in Gaza was launched in October, in response to an attack by Hamas that saw 1,300 Israelis killed and 240 people taken hostage. Since then more than 23,000 people in Gaza, mainly women and children, have been killed by Israeli forces according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The Israeli government has rejected accusations of genocide saying its intention is solely to destroy Hamas.
Markin is urging the EBU to make “some kind of decision regarding Israel,” emphasizing that whoever ends up representing Finland must “represent the voice of the Finns,” as many share “my views on the situation.”
Jesse Markin’s UMK entry “Glow” is set for release on Monday 15 January at 23.00 CET.
who ? OK, mate ….BYE
Ethnic finn XD
Let him go to hell…
Do you solve anything by punishing Israeli artists who have nothing to do with the situation? Absolutely not. Winning means representing Finland. You literally solve nothing by doing this, because they will just ask the other contestants and at least one of them will go
The difference is that is not just some random Israeli artist, it’s an Israeli artist representing Israel on an international stage.
Do you also think Russian artists were punished when Russia was thrown out?
Russia: copy paste your statement. I’m just saying
Good. People who support terrorist should stay out of Eurovision, and civilised world in general.
Great to hear x
Well done!
Thank you, next!
Wonder if Olly Alexander will call for himself to be banned now that UK is striking Houthi ter r0r ists in Yemen?
Wonderful question!
The hypocrites will never do this to themselves xD
Everyone is allowed to fight except for Israel, after the massacre.
you don’t have the rights to say anything anymore
Oh, that’s up to you to decide? Good to know.
Sarcasm much you know
Sorry then. That could be ready either way.
Whatever you say, love
You know it’s the Houthi TERRORISTS who strike ships and people, right? Fighting against terrorists is not a crime and uk doesn’t make civilian deaths
Bye felicia, won’t be missed
Fine drop out then
It’s insane to me that so many Eurofans are defending an aparthe*d state that has been committing genoc*de for decades, and is currently being held in the Hague for genoc*de charges.
Right now, the EBU are probably discussing Israel’s removal for Eurovision whether you like it or not. Hopefully, they’ll make the right decision so we can have a genuinely fun contest this year.
A voice of reason. Thank you.
EBU is definitely not considering it, because there’s simply no reason to consider it.
They have many, many, many reasons to consider it. I’m sure the EBU has several plans signed off just in case Israel is considered guilty in the ongoing trial in the Hague.
I encourage you to boycott the contest, since the way to actually make it more fun will be to get rid of people like you
Freddy, how come Israel gets articles only when it’s about the war but nothing about other topics?
Wiwibloggs didn’t write anything yet about the national final in Israel, due to end in a month or so (unlike different years with articles after each episode).
Nothing about a Eurovision WINNER who has passed away so recently.
Do you only care about how many people will click on your articles?
I thought you were better than that.
Honestly, I’m positively surprised that Wiwibloggs isn’t covering Israel’s national final. I thought they were all totally pinkwashed after seeing videos of their trip to Tel Aviv in 2019. Turns out people/organizations can change their stance and be on the right side of history.
Well done to Wiwibloggs team!
I share the same sentiment. Kudos to Wiwibloggs for coming over to the right side.
Wiwibloggs came to Israel many times, not just 2019. I personally met two of them (Deban and Cinan) at Israel Calling 2023 (lovely people). Telling the truth isn’t pinkwashing. Israel is simply a western democracy sharing the same values as Europe and Eurovision while our lovely neighbours here don’t… Those are simply facts. Them not writing anything doesn’t mean they changed any opinion, but it might show that they’re not willing to have so many comments like yours around the website, which is a shame to give in to hatred. If we’re all about ignoring countries who are attacking other… Read more »
Sure, western democracy. But just as other democracies they can pick an awful leader and start implementing war crime and other awful acts. Killing civilians is not ok. Mass killing civilians is not even close to ok. Cut the power to hospitals and let children die there. Kill journalists on a regular basis. Force people to the south out of their homes. Then start a strike in that specific zone that was supposed to be safe. From one horrible act you suddenly get the opportunity to just disrespect the complete human value. A strike is not defending yourself. Killing children,… Read more »
On the side of the hammers terrorists who only want complete removal of Israel at all? Is that the right side?
He knew winning UMK means going to Eurovision. If he doesn’t want to go to Eurovision, quit and give someone else the chance to get the Eurovision ticket. Do you really think winning UMK and not going to Eurovision will help anyone in the world besides yourself? Just to make yourself seem like a justice warrior, but you just want the fame. The EBU has already decided Israel can compete, so it’s time people accept it and move on with their lives. Can’t accept just the decisions which align with your own opinions. At least he saved me 3 minutes… Read more »
Who told you EBU already decided Isnotreal con compete? The discussion is still going on and we will soon see, no matter EBU allows or not, Israel will be booed no matter they participate or not!
Who told me? The EBU themselves…
https://wiwibloggs.com/2023/12/09/ebu-statement-israel-complies-with-all-competition-rules-and-remains-eligible-for-eurovision-2024/278647/
Also, calling Israel “Isnotreal” wouldn’t make it disappear from the map and it won’t make you seem smarter.
If you have anything wise and correct to say, you won’t need to use this kind of language xD
Antisemitism won’t win my dear.
He entered before the events of October 7th sparked conflict. I think he is under contract with UMK to have to participate now and can’t back out anymore unless for a good personal life reason, because they can’t replace him either because the music video and everything is filmed already, and he was under an NDA before this week about even participating. He quite literally could not say this before, and could not back out either. He is making his stance clear BECAUSE the public now knows he’s participating and the eyes are on him. Everyone is making this out… Read more »
Goodbye, dude nobody ever heard of! You’ll be missed!
PS: I’ve really had it by now. Definitely not gonna vote for Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden or Ireland this year. Instead Israel won a free vote no matter what they’ll send. Congratulations!
LOL, OK! What has those countries done to you?
To me? Nothing. But they’ve shared the same bigotted and hypocritical ‘arguments’ Jesse now gives. Quick reminder: if it really were about justice or ethics, the same people who demand to exclude Israel now would have demanded the same when Azerbaijan effectively displaced 120,000 Armenians from Arzakh. And for that, it doesn’t even matter whether Arzakh is Armenian or Azeri territory – that’s been a crime against humanity no matter what. The fact that those countries or at least groups from those countries want Israel kicked out, yet to this day keep their mouths shut when it comes to Azerbaijan,… Read more »
None of the broadcasters has actually said anything. In Finland and Iceland musicians have called for boycott but they don’t decide that nor do they speak for the broadcaster
All of the countries are still taking part
The people who are asking for Israel to be excluded 90% of the time when you ask them, will say they think the same about Azerbaijan… Me included.
Then why do I never read about that? Where’s the Wiwibloggs article about anyone asking for Azerbaijan to get kicked out or someone ‘threatening’ not to go to Malmö if they participate? There simply hasn’t been any.
Don’t take that out on the comments, take that out on Wiwibloggs.
Childish behaviour. I agree that Israel is doing massive crimes but I somehow I don’t see sportsmen resigning from Olympics if North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia or USA (the biggest war initiators in the world) participate. We have this saying: “I will freeze my ears to make my grandma angry” a saying that portrays childish self sabotaging behaviour as if anyone cares. People get too much politicised. I don’t like this modern day cancel and boycot culture. I didn’t like it with Russia and I don’t like it with Israel.
You forgot rxssia who has athletes in their army invading Ukraine
Congratulations Sexmane, you have just turn a big part of the audience against you.
I mean Jesse Markin lol
Really ? Only two black guys in that competition and you mixed them up ? Do better.
Lmao that’s the best I can do.
Regardless of the debate of whether his decision to say this now was morally correct or not (it would have been better to not compete at all and allow someone else to have a chance) let’s once again say that Israel should by no means compete in the 2024 contest and the broadcasters must take a stand now. What’s happening in G@za is appalling, dehumanizing and one of the most serious humanitarian crisis that has ever occured.
If you think the situation there is one of the most serious ones, you have a lot more searching to do of other countries around the world…
For example in Yemen that is now being bombed once again after a vicious blockade lasting many years, a famine and a cholera epidemic. And yes the situation in G@za is terrifying no matter how much you want to downplay it. Go read the UN reports it’s not my job to educate you
Are you really whitewashing the Houthis?
1.9 million people displaced from their homes hasnt happened for some decades. The last time was in the Rwanda conflict in 1994.
Its awkward that with just stating facts this post get downvoted.
It’s irresponsible reporting to act like all this started in october. It escalated after the attack, but Israel’s crimes go back to 1948 and have never really stopped.
So sorry we won the war after being attacked on all sides in 1948, we should have let them slaughtered us back then .You’re absolutely right, such a shame. Spoiler alert: we’ll win again, everyone who tries to use terror against us, and in Eurovision.
Spoiler Alert; If Israel wins ESC24,
ESC25 nobody turns up except Belarus and Georgia.
Sucks for him!
If he is obliged to go to ESC in case of win the refusal would lead to punishment.
But of course we don’t know the rules. Maybe the winner only gets first refusal? Then the runner up could go. Or maybe YLE actually intends to pull put and leave YMK a Finnish thing only? In that case he is just following official policy…
Omg… Just withdraw from the competition. What’s the point here ? People are using ressources for his participation jist for him to not go at the end if he wins ? Useless. Just withdraw. And I least his song is good.
*I hope his song is good to make such a statement
A voice of principle and integrity! Let’s applaud him!
No. Let’s ban him.
Oh.. in that case he needs to win… I hope.. it will make Israel’s win way more easy..
Israel should be banned from ESC but also from the UEFA
i mean AFC were so correct in kicking you guys out back then
Not going to happen.. just saying..
Ofc a massacre and an unjustified terr0ri$t attack happenend on israeli lands on the 7th of oct 23. Nobody questions that in the world. Though in the counterattacks by the IDF 23.000 peoples in the G@za strip are killied, 1.9 million displaced from their homes sheltering in insufficient regugeecamps were is a lack of everything. Hunger and spreading of disseases as a result, 60 % of the homes of the p@lestinians destroyed, most of the hospitals and infrastucture targetted by b0mbs and roèckets. Also big tensions on the Westbank and at the northern border with Lebanon. You folks are still… Read more »
Hope he wins.
It’s Insane that a country that is being investigated for Gen0cide in The International Criminal Court of Justice is even being allowed to compete in ESC.
How happy were you when 1200 Israelis were slaughtered?
True! he is a pro-ter00rists
You mean when israeli helicopters were firing indescriminately into crowds and israeli homes trying to kill the escapees from the concentration camp known as g a z a? I don’t think anyone was happy about that but the iof. It makes for a great excuse to racist and gullible people like you
I understand your point of view here, but let me try and make you see it in a different way. When someone goes to court for somethin, does it automatically mean they are guilty? If you believe so, well I’m sorry to tell you that many innocent people have been jailed throughout the years. Same goes for a country as a whole – Israel is there right now but it doesn’t mean they’re guilty of it. The fact Israel is still allowed to compete shows that the EBU knows exactly what happened there on October 7th and that the military… Read more »
It also shows EBU ignoring the fact that Israel started oppress way ahead of that day! Shame on you!
Israeli military has literally filmed and posted their own crimes for everyone to see and pretending that what’s in front of your eyes isn’t there won’t make it disappear.
Oh you must have been thinking of the videos H@mas did during October 7th!
Filming themselves enjoying the horrible stuff they did to us.
IDF is filming everything because it’s important – in terms of improving, in terms of taking care when rules are being broken by soldiers, in terms of proving to the world how we’re fighting H@mas and not civilians…
Yes because gleefully bombing an entire apartment block and laughing and cheering it on and posting it on social medias is “important”. You got me.
It’s insane you know nothing about what you are talking about so why not concentrate on music .
BTW no one.is being investigated . And what if all accusations will not hold in court according to international law ? OMG will that be insane not allowing Israel to compete?
United by music adios
Lets provide all those 1.900.000 displaced P@lestinians a radio in may so they can listen ESC 24 and feel UNITED by music……………..
If he feel so strongly about it, he should simply pull out. And safe us from his hissy fit.
If your Israeli father pulled out, we would be spared another Israeli Gen0cide apologist!
And your mother too
Quite on the contrary!
Well he’s a nobody anyway with a little chance of winning
Let’s make sure he won’t get selected, then.
Let us see how you all feel when the person with the winning song starts singing the same tune and if it’s suddenly okay to be Anti-Israel cause it’s your favorite song. People don’t do this to be attention seekers, they want to participate in the contest and entered their songs way before October 7ths set of events even began rolling. For them to be chosen as the finalists for the main event around the same time as all of this is happening… It’s complicated when your morals align with one thing but you’re already in the process of participating… Read more »
Fully agree with you
The Icelandic broadcaster doesnt consider withdrawing, at least not publicly. Some songwriter association is urging them to withdraw. That’s all so far.
Bye Bye !
More chances for a Finnish song to win now, better !
Are you as an Israeli claiming Jesse Markin is not Finnish because of the colour of his skin?
He clearly means he wants a Finnish language song…
And apparently even S.Sabotage…
I don’t know if that’s really what they’ll do but it scares me that many will withdraw because of the political situation…
They are the ones bringing politics into the competition while Israel is allowed to participate so leave this country alone!
It depends on whether the deal says you enter UMK to participate in a Yle show (with an option for ESC), or whether the deal is for Eurovision for the winner no matter what. Does anyone know the answer to this? The terms of the deal are very important. If it’s the latter deal, then Jesse’s view better match the broadcaster’s view, otherwise there might be penalties for not going to ESC. The other possibility is that the broadcaster would also rather not take part in ESC with Israel. Therefore, allowing the artists to help lobby that view separately might… Read more »
How dumb do you have to be to announce this before the voting happens.
His entry isn’t even out yet
This might even help him, there’s a lot of weird finnish people on Instagram who dont care about Eurovision but is still whining about Israel, they will vote for him probably
I’m glad he takes positions clearly. For some he’s an attention seeker, for others he will never win anyway so he doesn’t mind. But it’s another voice against Israeli participation.
I don’t see Israel participating this year, and I would be happy they won’t. Stop this tragedy (genocide)
He’s entitled to his own opinion but it’s shame that he’s taking up a place that could’ve went to an act that would’ve genuinely wanted to compete at Eurovision. It’s interesting how many artists seem to act as if they’re doing us all such a big favour by just taking part. Honestly, you’re just not that special, love.
Agree
He does want to go to eurovision. He just has a basic sense of human decency.
Another lame vague threat from a nobody. I’m seriously yawning. Dude, none of us had ever heard of you.. Do us a favor…stand by your words and withdraw now. No one will care or remember you..
max is speaking the truth here
I’d never heard of you either Bro.
Everybody has a voice isn’t?
So does he
Yours will noticed as well as his.
i totally get the point. After all if Russia is banned for obvious reasons, Israel should not get a double standard treatment…This kind of measure is reasonable and understandable, but it’s very complicated to justify when it applies and when it doesn’t. maybe they should settle once and for all in the EBU rules what kind of events lead to being expelled.
Actually, invading Ukraine wasn’t the reason why Russia was expelled from Eurovision. It was what lead up to them getting expelled. The EBU originally still allowed Russia to participate because they argued that Eurovision is a “non-political cultural event”. The actual reason why they expelled Russia was because of the criticism they received shortly after (especially from the broadcasters). So unless the broadcasters start hopping on the anti-Israel train, I don’t see the EBU expelling Israel anytime soon.
The thing is Russia got expelled because the broadcaster wasn’t respecting the EBU rules anymore not because of the invasion.
The last EBU statement clearly says that Israel’s broadcaster is not breaking any rules that’s why they are allowed to compete atm
It’s such a shame, I was really looking forward to listening to his track. Btw, all participants are contractually committed to take part of ESC if they win, so he’ll get fined in case he wins and refuses to participate, and most Finns are indifferent to that situation iirc
Another attention seeker.
We will see you in the International Criminal Court, Israeli.
Are you against Israeli people?
Everyone should be against colonizers murdering their way through an indigenous population. I support the israelis who oppose their government and the iof. They are fighting the good fight. Those who participate in these atrocities or remain indifferent are scum. It’s not even a little complicated.
Actually jews lived there before. Already BC. Muslims conquered the region in the 7th century when they wanted to spread islam.
Another one virtue signalling, weeh weeh, counter can go back to 0 days without nonsense.
It’s called activism you bird brain!
Eurovision Song Contest should be about songs, only. But that’s impossible for many reasons
I have a question…in Olympic Games in Paris, the countries won’t participate if Israel is in it? Will they ban the athletes?
Some of them don’t even live in Israel, they just represent the country.
If the goverment is responsible for some cruel things, on the other hand, there are good people. Do you know that there are Israelis who want freedom of the place and they don’t like what’s happening since years ago.
Don’t put all in the same bag, it’s so unfair and sorry…fascist
I’ve been wondering about the Olympics too. Sport is sacrosanct of course and like Qatar 2022 most people will reveal just how shallow their morals actually are.
Honestly I couldn’t care less about Olympics, my country rarely wins any medals anyways
Agree, I am not getting the #banisrael comments, I mean if the broadcaster supports the governments decision then alright but they don’t seem to do so based on the EBU statement so everyone needs to calm down imo
don’t worry you will never win, so you don’t even have to think about it
Thought the same hahaha
The guy probably has no chances to win, so he s on to get protest vote ?
Hm, the UMK producers should be uneasy with this. Putting aside the rights and wrongs of the wider situation, why does Jesse have to tell us this now? It can mean his song’s votes can be used as a channel for protest. Unfair, and puts pressure on the other acts to reveal their own allegiances. He is free to do as he pleases, but if this is how he feels, shouldn’t he just pull out now?
See, if he wins and refuses to participate because of Israel, that’s immediately putting a crosshair on whoever comes 2nd. I wonder what will happen then. More controversy, I’d imagine.
That was my thought too. It kind of imposes his way of thinking on everybody else, including all the other acts from other countries. Can it be possible to be totally against the actions of Israel in Gaza, but also still participate with a clean conscience?
I mean yes. I don’t think all Israelis agree with the governments actions so why generalize everything. Russia got banned because of the broadcaster not because of the invasion. We need to remember that
Much respect to this man! I’ll be supporting you in UMK
King
Good Riddance to him then. Another just jumping on the Anti-Israel train.
That would be the majority of civilised society.
Think what you want… here in Western Europe the majority of the public sees Hamas as a terror organization and thinks Israel is only defending itself from the October 7 attack. The ones whining are a minority.
Your name is very apt ?maybe in countries like Germany that are trying to overcompensate for their own past actions. In their rest of Western Europe most people can realise the Israeli atrocities
Here in front of the Palace of Justice in the Hague we have pro and contra demonstrations for 2 days now. Many are not choosing for either one of the camps but are adressing the inmense human suffering in the inflicted areas.
Honestly this is getting ridiculous at this point. Israel’s genocidal actions are being judged in the Hague. It simply cannot be accepted at Eurovision. Props to the artists who dare to speak up.
Hear, hear!