Pro-Palestinian activists pressured her and other artists not to perform in Israel.
By Ruth Eglash Ruth Eglash Reporter covering Israel and the Palestinian territories Email Bio Follow May 17 at 5:00 AM TEL AVIV — Eurovision is Europe’s longest-running and best-loved music contest, drawing few big names but plenty of flamboyance and the cheesiest of pop songs. But with the competition taking place in Israel this week, the usually festive atmosphere is tinged with politics.
Madonna made clear she would not bend to political pressure from any side. In a statement to Reuters, she said, “I’ll never stop playing music to suit someone’s political agenda nor will I stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever in the world they may be.” The BDS movement advocates, among other things, a cultural boycott of Israel over its treatment of Palestinians and the Israeli occupation of lands the Palestinians hope to make a future state.
None did, though Icelandic entry Hatari, a risque act that dons full bondage gear onstage, has been sharply critical of Israel and made a point of visiting the Israeli-occupied city of Hebron. Eytan Schwartz, chief executive of Tel Aviv Global, an initiative to promote the city, said it reflected Eurovision values. The BDS movement had little impact, he said, estimating that some 10,000 tourists had arrived for the show and 1,500 foreign journalists to report on it.
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