For a “non-political” live music event aimed at bringing “audiences and countries together”, the Eurovision Song Contest is now at the centre of a lot of fractious fighting. Furore over the decision to allow Israel to compete in 2026 has led to an unprecedented backlash and prompted several countries to boycott the contest.
The public service broadcaster of Ireland, one of the countries that has pulled out recently, said it felt its participation would be “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there”.
