Germany’s culture minister on Saturday slammed threats by several European countries to boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel took part as politicising a cultural event.
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Spain said this week it would boycott the world’s largest live televised music event in May if Israel participates, and Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands have made similar threats.
“Eurovision was founded to bring nations together through music. Excluding Israel today goes against this fundamental idea and turns a celebration of understanding between peoples into a tribunal,” said Wolfram Weimer in a statement.
“It’s precisely because Eurovision was born on the ruins of war that it should not become a scene of exclusion.”
Austria, which is hosting the next Eurovision, had on Friday expressed regret over the threats.
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Other countries like Belgium, Sweden and Finland are also considering a boycott and have until December to decide.