This year, editor and public debater Vebjørn Selbekk voted for a contestant in Eurovision for the first time in his life.
His votes went to Israel.
– Tonight I vote for democracy and against hate, terror and anti-Semitism, he wrote on X on Thursday evening.
He elaborates to VG:
– I always think Eurovision has been fun, but this year I have been very engaged and connected to the situation, he says.
Selbekk says that he voted 20 times for Israel.
– That was the limit for how many votes you could give. So both my wife and I keyed for life last night.
– Glaring contrast
On Friday, Israel’s contribution is number two on the odds lists.
In a strip across the screen at the Italian broadcaster RAI, what appeared to be the distribution of Italian votes scrolled. While no other country received more than eight percent of Italians’ votes, Israel is listed with a whopping 39.31 percent.
At home in Norway, one in five say they want to boycott. But the semi-finals have so far had higher viewing figures this year than last year, according to NRK.
But at the same time that Israel is climbing the betting charts amid glitz and glamor in Malmö, Israeli forces have recently intensified their attacks against Rafah in the south of Gaza.
– There is a stark contrast, says head of the Palestine Committee Line Khateeb to VG.
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– This is a sign that there are a number of people in Europe who have not realized how crudely Israel is proceeding with wiping out Gaza.
Over 1,100 people were killed when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October. That same evening, Israel responded with extensive bombing and a ground invasion in Gaza, where over 34,900 people have so far been killed.
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According to the Palestinian authorities, among those killed are at least 13,000 children and 9,000 women. This corresponds to an average of over 70 children and 50 women daily.
– It reflects the lack of understanding of how urgent it is in Gaza now, and how serious things are happening.
– Explosion of Jew hatred
Selbekk, for his part, says that he thinks it is important to show that there are people who actually support Israel, and who “want Israel to be all right”.
– The situation this year is quite special. After what happened on 7 October last year, we have had an explosion of Jew-hatred in Europe and in the world, including here in Norway. There are strong forces that want to boycott Israel and push them out of Eurovision. It is important to show that there are other environments and views on this.
– Do you understand that support for Israel creates reactions?
– Yes. It is important for me to say that my involvement does not mean that I do not recognize – and am moved by – the suffering in the Gaza Strip. It is terrible what is happening, says Selbekk and adds:
– But my point is that this whole situation is what Hamas must take responsibility for. They knew what they were letting loose when they attacked, and they have blown their own population all the way.
That, Khateeb believes, is a mistake.
– This is a classic example of how those who support Israel twist the picture. They portray Israel as a peaceful democracy, while they are documented responsible for apartheid, occupation and war crimes.
– Rhymes badly
Khateeb believes that Israel’s position in Eurovision is now due to sympathy votes for Israel, and that many of those who support Palestine are boycotting the competition and not participating in the vote.
– Our point is that Israel should not participate in the competition because the state is responsible for an ongoing genocide. There is an indifference to the killing and human rights violations of the Palestinians.
– Why should countries that commit such serious war crimes take part in a pleasant and peaceful singing competition? It rhymes badly.
– Should celebrate
Selbekk also says he voted to support the artist, 20-year-old Eden Golan.
– I can’t imagine that there has been so much pressure on any artist in the history of Eurovision. Then it is important to treat yourself to a hundred and vote as often as you can. It was a small price to pay, he says.
– If Israel can get the handshake from Europe that would be winning Eurovision or getting a good position, it is something that both Israelis, Jews and friends of Israel should celebrate.
Khateeb in the Palestine Committee does not know whether she had taken any interest in an Israeli victory:
– Because the world order has already failed, when they do nothing to stop the killing of civilians or let in emergency aid. But the singing competition becomes a symptom of the same.
