Riddle with a clear message: – Not comfortable

A total of nine of this year’s Eurovision participants are going out on Friday with a joint letter, in which they come with a clear message.

They start the post by saying that they understand what a privilege it is to be able to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, but:

“As the situation is in the occupied territories of Palestine and especially Gaza, and Israel, we are not comfortable being silent. It is important to show solidarity with the oppressed and show our desire for peace”.

The message is shared by the Norwegian band themselves on Instagram in English.

The letter is signed Bambie Thug (Ireland), Gåte (Norway), Iolanda (Portugal), Magara (San Marino), Nemo (Switzerland), Olly Alexander (Great Britain), Saba (Denmark); Silvester Belt (Lithuania) and Windows95Man (Finland).

“We want a ceasefire that lasts now, and that hostages can come home safely. We distance ourselves from all forms of hatred, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia”.

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest has so far been strongly marked by demonstrations and protests against Israel’s participation in the competition.

Several are threatening a boycott as a result of the country still being allowed to participate in the competition while the war is going on.

Furthermore, in the joint letter, the artists write:

“We really believe in the unifying effect of music, which gives people the opportunity to come together in their differences and have important conversations. It is our job to create and maintain that space, with the hope that it will inspire compassion and empathy.”