Finnish music industry calls for Israel's removal from Eurovision

Finland has submitted a petition to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) urging the exclusion of Israel from the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, in May 2024.

If the EBU doesn't comply, the petition's authors encourage Finnish broadcaster Yle to withdraw from the competition in protest.

Over 1,400 industry figures, including Axel Enström (aka Paradise Oskar), who represented Finland in Eurovision 2011, have signed the petition.

The petition criticizes Israel for alleged "war crimes" in Gaza and the "occupation" of Palestinian territory. The petition calls for Israel not to use music to "cleanse its image."

The authors highlight Yle's past stance on removing Russia from Eurovision in 2022 due to military aggression in Ukraine and expect similar action.

While Yle has refrained from drawing parallels between conflicts, it remains engaged, communicating with the EBU, and planning to meet with the petition authors.