Hilversum4Palestine announces that it will demonstrate on Thursday afternoon, from half past five, at the AVROTROS building on Witte Kruislaan against the broadcaster’s decision to broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest ‘despite Israel’s participation’.
In an English-language press release, the ‘network of Hilversummers’ points to AVROTROS’ earlier statement. In it, the broadcaster states that the Eurovision Song Contest is an apolitical music festival and not a competition between the governments of countries. “This is therefore not the place where this deep-rooted conflict can be resolved,” says AVROTROS.
Also read: Demonstration against violence in Gaza at Hilversum station: more security guards than demonstrators
However, Hilversum4Palestine states that ‘Russia and Belarus were quickly and indefinitely banned from the Eurovision Song Contest due to the invasion of Ukraine, while Israel is allowed to participate despite the invasion of Gaza and the killing of more than 30,000 Palestinians in the past 7 months ‘.
Joost Klein
The network also points to the call for Dutch Eurovision participant Joost Klein to withdraw from the competition. ‘While Klein’s Eurovision Song Contest song sings about ‘a world without borders’, 2.3 million Palestinians are trapped by Israel in Gaza, with all surrounding borders closed to them.’
© Twitter account hilforpalestine
The network also refers to a statement by Israeli Eurovision representative Eden Golan: ‘This year, more than ever, I am excited to represent my country on the biggest stage in Europe. I promise to do my best and bring the 2025 Eurovision contest to Israel.’
Art washing
An (anonymous) organizer of the Hilversum4Palestine protest states in the press release: “We call on AVROTROS, its employees and Joost Klein to choose to stand behind justice and humanity and refuse to be part of the ‘art washing’ of the genocide of the Palestinians.”
On social media people are called to come to Witte Kruislaan this afternoon.
Gaza
“Everyone in the Netherlands is free to demonstrate, including us,” said an AVROTROS spokesperson.
“The horrors in Gaza touch us deeply. We also hope that the suffering will come to an immediate end. However, this is not the place where this deep-rooted conflict can be resolved. We also have to wait and see what the scale of the demonstration is. For the time being, the police are assuming a small protest. We have of course informed our colleagues.”
