About Eurovision: – Of course double standards

MALMÖ / OSLO (Dagbladet): The Eurovision Song Contest has been heavily criticized after the EBU stated that it was not appropriate to ban Israel from this year’s music competition.

Both in Norway and in several other countries, there have been calls to ban Israel from this year’s competition because of the war in Gaza and the many civilian victims.

For its part, the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) has emphasized that the competition is not political.

– It is a competition for broadcasters, not governments, and the Israeli broadcaster has been participating for 50 years, the EBU said in a statement in January.

Now, however, Ukraine’s performance is causing a stir.

– Depends on the eyes that see

During Ukraine’s performance, artist Jerry Heil can be seen walking up what looks like a mountain. In the background you see several lights, and on X a user draws parallels to the war in Ukraine, and that these lights can look like missiles.

Journalist, presenter and commentator Jostein Pedersen can tell Dagbladet that he noticed these lights during Ukraine’s performance in the Eurovision’s first semi-final on Tuesday evening.

– Yes, I have it. It depends on the eyes that see. If anyone thinks it looks like missiles, it is. If someone means New Year’s Eve and hope for a new future, then it is. It’s exactly the same with words, lyrics and musical turns, explains Pedersen.

– It can be perceived as political?

– They are going up a mountain top. And those who are on a peak trip will want to reach the top, because there they get air and a view. So I understand that picture.

– Many believe it is double standards to allow political messages from Ukraine and not from other countries. What kind of thoughts do you have about the reactions this can lead to?

– Of course it is a double standard to claim that music in Eurovision is apolitical, because it is not. Just that in itself is a double standard, and then it’s better to admit that: “Yes, that’s how it is, but we’re going to arrange this here”, says Pedersen, and continues:

– That’s perfectly fine, because it happens every single year, and I think, on the contrary, that interest in Eurovision will only increase around this, regrettably.

– Part of the song

In an interview with Billboad, Jerry Heil has explained that it is difficult not to have the ongoing war in the back of your mind during the singing competition.

– The war is part of our song. We cannot separate it. The song was made during an attack. Sometimes we feel that the war does not exist because it has become a part of our lives. We are always stressed in the subconscious, Heil stated in an interview with Billboard.

Many of Eurovision’s critics have questioned why Russia was banned, and not Israel. Russia had entered the competition in 2022, and was even awarded a place in the first semi-final, but due to the Ukraine war, the country was banned. Russia was also absent in 2023 and in this year’s competition.