Five countries have now pledged to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is permitted to compete.

In an email shared with Newsweek , Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said in a statement "We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. We are still consulting with all EBU Members to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Eurovision Song Contest."

Newsweek has reached to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN—the country's representative to the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the annual contest, via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The threats of a Eurovision boycott in response to Israel competing come in protest to Israel's actions in Gaza.

On October 7

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