The Israeli city of Tel Aviv is preparing to host the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2019, following Netta Barzilai’s win in Eurovision 2018. As a serial human rights abuser, it is unacceptable for Israel to be the host country for a competition that, in SBS’s own words, is supposed to “bring people and cultures together”.
We urge SBS not to participate or broadcast Eurovision 2019 if it is in Israel – and we call on Kate Miller-Heidke to withdraw as the Australian contestant.
We love SBS and we love Eurovision – and we love the artistry of Kate Miller-Heidke – but surely human rights are more valuable than a song contest? Surely international law is more important than advertising dollars? Surely solidarity withe people living under occupation, blockade, exile and second-class citizenship is more valuable than fame?
Take action and tell SBS not to participate in or broadcast Eurovision 2019.
Israel is using Eurovision as part of its official Brand Israel strategy, which attempts to whitewash and distract attention from its many decades of suppression of Palestinians’ human rights.
Last year Israel effectively declared itself an apartheid state by adopting the “Jewish Nation-State Law”. Sadly Palestinian citizens of Israel are now constitutionally denied equal rights with their neighbours.
Holding Eurovision 2019 in Israel whitewashes decades of violent illegal occupation.
Israel has imposed prison conditions on Palestinians in the illegally occupied West Bank and in Gaza for fifty years since their lands were stolen and they were placed under military rule. In Gaza more than 205 people have been shot dead in cold blood by Israeli snipers since March 2018 protesting for their human rights and against the blockade they have lived under for more than a decade. Meanwhile there are 6,500 Palestinians illegally in Israeli prisons.
Sign and share this call to SBS not to ‘artwash’ Israel’s crimes against Palestinians
We encourage all local performers to boycott Israel.
Join with Palestinian artists asking Australians to boycott Eurovision. Prominent musicians who have refused to perform in Israel so far include: Lorde, Lauryn Hill, Chuck D, Massive Attack, Roger Waters, Patti Smith, Annie Lennox, Faithless, Brian Eno, The Pixies, Thurston Moore, Elvis Costello and Cat Power. Australians L-FRESH The LION and Nick Seymour support our boycott campaign.
Just like the international campaign to end apartheid in South Africa in the 1980s, your solidarity is vital.
