UK Eurovision entrant addresses 'extreme' remarks on Israel's inclusion

The UK’s Eurovision Song Contest representative has addressed “extreme” remarks from fans over Israel’s inclusion in the competition.

uk eurovision entrant addresses 'extreme' remarks on israel's inclusion

Olly Alexander arrives for the BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena in London in March. Pic: Reuters

Olly Alexander was selected as this year’s representative for the UK for the popular singing competition.

It’s set to take place in Malmo, Sweden, next week but tens of thousands are expected to protest Israel’s involvement and its ongoing war in Gaza.

Alexander, the Years & Years singer, has found himself facing criticism from some who called for him to withdraw amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Queers for Palestine circulated a letter, signed by thousands including actors Indya Moore, Brigette Lundy-Paine, and Maxine Peake calling for the It’s A Sin actor to pull out of the show.

In March, along with Irish hopeful Bambie Thug, Danish entrant Saba and other Eurovision artists, Alexander released a joint statement, backing “an immediate and lasting ceasefire” but refusing to boycott the event.

uk eurovision entrant addresses 'extreme' remarks on israel's inclusion

Bambie Thug, the Irish entrant in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, who also signed a statement backing an immediate ceasefire, but is refusing to boycott the event. Pic: Pa

Now, speaking out in a new documentary which has followed the 33-year-old as he prepares for the show, he has described some of the comments he and other participants have faced as “very extreme”.

uk eurovision entrant addresses 'extreme' remarks on israel's inclusion

Pic: PA

He said: “A lot of the contestants and myself have been having a lot of comments that are like ‘You are complicit in a genocide by taking part in Eurovision’ which is quite extreme. It’s very extreme.

“I understand where that sentiment is coming from but I think it’s not correct.

“It’s an incredibly complicated political situation, one that I’m not qualified to speak on.

“The backdrop to this is actual immense suffering. It’s a humanitarian crisis, a war.

“It just so happens there’s a song contest going on at the same time that I’m a part of.”

Speaking in the BBC’s documentary titled Olly Alexander’s Road To Eurovision ’24, he continued saying that people should boycott Eurovision if they didn’t feel comfortable watching and he respected their decision – but would be taking part himself.

He added: “My plan is to just focus on putting on a good performance in Malmo.

“My team, everyone’s worked so hard, and we’re in the final stretch now.”

Progress reported in Gaza ceasefire talks

Man charged over 1966 murder after DNA breakthrough

About 31,000 homes without water

Earlier in the week, Alexander broke down crying during an interview with The Times when discussing the pressure he had come under for participating in Eurovision.

He told the paper he knew a number of signatories of the petition against him, and none had reached out to him.

He said: “This is so much bigger than me and Eurovision, it really is. But, obviously, I wish there wasn’t a war or this insane humanitarian crisis.

“I wish for peace and I have found this experience, at times, extremely … I’ve just felt really sad and distressed.”

Speaking on Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, deputy director general of the European Broadcasting Union who organises Eurovision, Jean Philip De Tender, defended Israel’s inclusion in the competition.

He said: “We do understand the concerns and deeply held views around the war in the Middle East.

“The song contest is a music event organised and co-produced by 37 public broadcasters, it’s not a competition between nations or governments.

“Our governing bodies reviewed the participation of Kan [Israel’s public broadcasting corporation] and found that they met all of the competing rules.”

Phillips pointed out incidences when Kan came under fire for their broadcasting.

This included, he said, when Kan published a video of children singing, in the public broadcaster’s own words, for the “annihilation of Gaza” and when one of their presenters was seen writing “I want to send the people of Gaza artillery shells”.

Mr De Tender said they had been in contact with Kan about the content they published and their editorial output, and had expressed concern on occasion.

He added that Eurovision had competition rules which they had to follow, and taking action beyond these rules to exclude Kan would have been a “political decision as such which we cannot take”.

OTHER NEWS

9 minutes ago

Wigan Warriors ruthlessly destroy Hull KR in one-sided Challenge Cup semi-final

9 minutes ago

Tocchet: Demko’s return to Canucks practice seen as ‘a positive’

9 minutes ago

Teacher, 35, quits as students refuse to get off phones in class

9 minutes ago

Ben Stokes dismissed by Nathan Lyon as Ashes rivalry renews

9 minutes ago

Raheem Sterling will ‘probably’ join bottom-half Premier League club to end Chelsea woes

13 minutes ago

Rudy Giuliani's 80th birthday party in Palm Beach RUINED as he's served indictment - guests cry and scream as Arizona officials gatecrash celebration

13 minutes ago

First black man to train with NASA will finally make trip to space 60 years on aged 90 on Blue Origin rocket as oldest astronaut ever

14 minutes ago

Bare breasts, suicides and Flaco: NYC can’t handle public art

15 minutes ago

Kate Middleton Portrait On Display at New Royal Exhibition

15 minutes ago

Sam Thompson speaks out on Zara McDermott engagement rumours

15 minutes ago

The Equalizer - Shattered (Sneak Peek 3)

15 minutes ago

McDonald's Sausage Is Made Of Fewer Ingredients Than We Thought

17 minutes ago

‘The Guiding Light’ Star Kim Zimmer Has Real-Life Illness That Her Character Faced

19 minutes ago

Harlequins 28-53 Bristol: England are left sweating over the fitness of Ellis Genge after calf injury as Bears miss out on play-offs despite win

19 minutes ago

Revealed: Meghan and Prince Harry were flown around Nigeria for free with 'top-tier treatment' by airline whose chairman is a fugitive wanted in the US over $20M money laundering operation

19 minutes ago

The Kane curse gets worse! England captain's trophy hunt is dealt a HUGE blow for next season as Bayern Munich finish THIRD in the Bundesliga after final day defeat to Hoffenheim

19 minutes ago

Oxford United will return to the Championship for the first time in 25 YEARS after clinching League One Play-Off Final against heavily fancied Bolton Wanderers

19 minutes ago

Celtic pay tribute to Joe Hart in the goalkeeper's final home game ahead of retirement... as he takes to the microphone to thank 'phenomenal' supporters - before SANTA delivers the Premiership trophy!

19 minutes ago

Scottie Scheffler prepared to go to trial over Valhalla arrest as lawyer insists golf star will plead not guilty: 'He didn't do anything wrong'

21 minutes ago

Incoming USWNT boss Hayes signs off from Chelsea with WSL title

21 minutes ago

Rudy Giuliani belts ‘New York, New York’ at 80th birthday and is then served with court papers

21 minutes ago

Preview: Saturday afternoon doubleheader

21 minutes ago

Lefty Arsenal fans like me are accused of hypocrisy - and rightly so

22 minutes ago

Pakistan asks its nationals studying in Kyrgyzstan to stay indoors after mobs attacked foreigners

22 minutes ago

Qantas agrees to pay $79 million in compensation and a fine for selling seats on canceled flights

22 minutes ago

Frontier Airlines eliminates change fees and introduces 4 new fare classes

22 minutes ago

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Gonzalez seeks unity in first rally

27 minutes ago

Revealed: Meghan and Prince Harry were flown around Nigeria for free with 'top-tier treatment' by airline whose chairman is a fugitive wanted in the US over $20M money laundering operation

28 minutes ago

Funeral home to the stars celebrating 125 years protecting high-profile clients

28 minutes ago

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Pair Up for Joint Appearance in Louis Vuitton Core Values Campaign

28 minutes ago

Raynaud’s Phenomenon: What to Know

28 minutes ago

Northern Ireland ruling sparks fear of ‘people border’ within UK

28 minutes ago

David Wagner sacked by Norwich following Championship play-off thrashing

28 minutes ago

Girls Aloud's The Show setlist is packed with nostalgic bangers

28 minutes ago

Brandon Hagel scores go-ahead goal in Canada's win over Finland

28 minutes ago

CNBC Markets Now: May 17, 2024

28 minutes ago

Top-ranked Swiatek dominates No. 2 Sabalenka to claim her 3rd Italian Open title

28 minutes ago

Blood pressure medications associated with higher fracture risk among nursing home residents

28 minutes ago

Labour’s policy on rent caps, and how it could affect landlords and tenants

28 minutes ago

Chelsea thrash Manchester United to win WSL title as Hayes bids farewell

Kênh khám phá trải nghiệm của giới trẻ, thế giới du lịch