Over 100 Artists Call For Boycott Of Eurovision If Hosted In Israel Next Year

Over 100 artists have signed an open letter calling for a boycott if Eurovision is hosted in Israel next year. 

As The Guardian reports, names such as Roger Waters, Wolf Alice and US actress Alia Shawkat, as well as Australia's L-FRESH The Lion and Crowded House bassist Nick Seymour, have signed the letter which reads, "Until Palestinians can enjoy freedom, justice and equal rights, there should be no business-as-usual with the state that is denying them their basic rights". 

The 2019 event is expected to be hosted in Israel next May following Netta Barzilai's win earlier this year. 

The letter continues, "On 14 May, days after Israel’s Eurovision win, the Israeli army killed 62 unarmed Palestinian protesters in Gaza, including six children, and injured hundreds, most with live ammunition. Amnesty International has condemned Israel’s shoot-to-kill-or-maim policy and Human Rights Watch described the killings as 'unlawful and calculated'.

"Eurovision 2019 should be boycotted if it is hosted by Israel while it continues its grave, decades-old violations of Palestinian human rights."

In a statement posted to its official Facebook page, Eurovision organisers said "Despite ongoing media speculation, no decision has yet been made by the EBU as to which city will host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest".