The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) has once again found itself at the center of a political storm, this time over the participation of Israel in the 2026 edition of the competition. Austria's recent winner, JJ, also known as Johannes Pietsch, has publicly expressed his desire for the next contest, potentially to be held in Vienna, to proceed without Israel's involvement. "It is very disappointing that Israel is still participating in the competition," JJ was quoted as saying in the Spanish newspaper "El País". His comments have added fuel to an already heated debate regarding Israel's place in the ESC amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The controversy surrounding Israel's participation is not new. Over the past months, the country's involvement in the ESC has been criticized by various quarters, including 70 former contestants who signed an open letter calling for Israel's exclusion. The backdrop to this outcry is the war Israel is waging against Hamas, which began following the unprecedented massacre by Palestinian terrorists in Israel in October 2023. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties in the Gaza Strip, further polarizing opinions on Israel's participation in international events like the ESC.
JJ's victory with "Wasted Love" at this year's ESC in Basel has given him a platform to voice his opinions on the contest's future. Beyond the issue of Israel's participation, he has also called for more transparency in the televoting process, suggesting that this year's voting was "very strange". The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the ESC, now faces increasing pressure to address these concerns, with artists and former participants alike calling for changes to ensure the contest remains a celebration of music and unity.
As the debate continues, the EBU's response to these calls for Israel's exclusion and reforms in the voting system will be closely watched. With the ESC being a event that prides itself on bringing nations together through music, the current controversy highlights the challenges of navigating political tensions in the realm of international competitions. The coming months will reveal whether the EBU can strike a balance between addressing these concerns and maintaining the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Swiss cement conglomerate Holcim has agreed to acquire German building materials manufacturer Xella for €1.85 billion, marking a significant strategic move in the European construction sector. The transaction, announced on Monday, is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2026,...
The small German municipality of Schwanau in Baden-Württemberg has become the unlikely stage for an escalating conflict between local government and one of the region's largest employers. The dispute centers around approximately 20 flower pots installed by the municipality two months ago...
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), Germany's largest naval shipbuilder, made a strong debut on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange Monday, with shares trading significantly above initial expectations. The stock opened at €60 per share, far surpassing analyst forecasts of approximately €36, and...
MUNICH — Knorr-Bremse AG, the German manufacturer of braking systems for trucks and trains, announced on Monday it has agreed to acquire Dutch digital services platform TRAVIS Road Services International B.V. The deal, valued in the mid-double-digit million-euro range, represents the latest...
Berlin police deployed approximately 130 officers in a major operation to secure the eviction of a partially occupied residential building in the city's Mitte district near the Federal Intelligence Service and Natural History Museum. The operation, which has now concluded, saw police officers...
