Israel’s Netta poses during the news conference after winning the Grand Final of Eurovision Song Contest 2018 at the Altice Arena hall in Lisbon, Portugal, May 13, 2018. REUTERS/Rafael Marchante More than 100 musical artists and members of the entertainment industry signed a statement condemning those advocating for a boycott of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.
According to a press release from Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), the statement reads, “The spirit of togetherness is under attack by those calling to boycott Eurovision 2019 because it is being held in Israel, subverting the spirit of the contest and turning it from a tool of unity into a weapon of division. We believe the cultural boycott movement is an affront to both Palestinians and Israelis who are working to advance peace through compromise, exchange, and mutual recognition.”
The statement goes on to say that “a cultural boycott is not” a viable solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Gene Simmons of KISS, Sharon Osbourne and Disturbed lead singer David Draiman were among those who signed the statement.
“This year, approximately 200 million people will watch, visit and take part in the Eurovision song contest, celebrating music and the diversity of our different cultures,” Ari Ingel, CCFP director, said in a statement. “The members of the entertainment industry who have signed this statement, along with the thousands of individuals who have endorsed its message, all believe in building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region.”
In February, Netta Barzilai, the Israeli singer who the 2018 Eurovision contest, told the BBC, “Boycotting is preventing light from being spread, and when you boycott light, you spread darkness.”
The 2019 Eurovision contest will take place from May 14-18.
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