Olly Alexander is among a group of performers who have issued a joint statement about their participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Following calls from hundreds of queer artists, individuals and organisations for the Years & Years frontman to pull out of the competition in light of Israel’s participation amid conflict with Palestine, he and various acts have shared a response.
The singer – who will perform his song Dizzy in Malmö, Sweden – alongside Denmark’s SABA, Finland’s Windows95Man, Ireland’s Bambie Thug, Lithuania’s Silvester Belt, Norway’s Gåte, Portugal’s Iolanda, San Marino’s Megara and Switzerland’s Nemo have signed a letter giving their response.
“We want to begin by acknowledging the privilege of taking part in Eurovision,” they say. “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 and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages.
“We stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and islamophobia.”
The letter continues: “We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections,” it continues.
“We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.”
In response to the statement, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) says it “welcomes” their stance, adding: “However, by participating in Eurovision alongside apartheid Israel while it carries out its live-streamed genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, armed and enabled by many European governments, the contestants would be complicit in artwashing these crimes.
“Feigning symbolic gestures of support while dismissing the call of the oppressed reflects a patronising and colonial attitude on the part of the contestants that is familiar to Palestinians, and many oppressed communities globally.”
“Israel is defying the World Court and the UN Security council. This means everyone has a responsibility to end complicity in supporting or covering up its crimes.
“We call on all Eurovision contestants to withdraw from the contest, as a meaningful gesture of solidarity and to fulfil this moral responsibility to do no harm.”
Alexander also issued a direct response to Queers For Palestine, which “sent [him] their letter asking [him] to withdraw from the ESC earlier this week”, he shared in a social media post.
“I wholeheartedly support action being taken to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages and the safety and security of all civilians in Palestine and Israel,” his statement begins.
“I know some people will choose to boycott this year’s Eurovision and I understand and respect their decision. As a participant l’ve taken a lot of time to deliberate over what to do and the options available to me.
“It is my current belief that removing myself from the contest wouldn’t bring us any closer to our shared goal. Instead, I’ve been speaking with some of the other EV contestants and we’ve decided that by taking part we can use our platform to come together and call for peace.
“I hope and pray that our calls are answered and there is an end to the atrocities we are seeing taking place in Gaza. I’d like to thank the many signatories of this letter whose work I deeply admire and respect and hope that we can continue to work together in creating a better world for all of us.”
