403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
Spain slams Eurovision director for not mentioning Gaza in fans’ letter
(MENAFN) The chief of Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, Jose Pablo Lopez, publicly condemned Eurovision Song Contest Director Martin Green for releasing an open letter to fans that did not mention Gaza or Israel, calling it “the worst reputational crisis in the history of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU),” according to reports.
Green issued the letter at a time when tensions around the contest are escalating, with five national broadcasters—Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Ireland, and Iceland—pulling out in protest over Israel’s ongoing participation amid the Gaza conflict.
Lopez argued that Green’s communication failed to adequately address the seriousness of the situation. “Green does not mention Gaza or Israel in his letter. He speaks of ‘events’ in the Middle East that have moved him. Is genocide merely an ‘event’?” he wrote on social media platform X.
The RTVE chief further criticized Green for emphasizing that he “listens” to fans, adding: “Apparently, that is the extent of his role: listening.” He also questioned Green’s assertion that “the past is the past” and that contest rules would now be enforced. “What about Israel’s rule violations over the past two years? Have they simply been swept under the rug?” Lopez asked, suggesting that the EBU may apply its rules inconsistently “according to its geopolitical and economic alliances.”
Lopez also highlighted claims that Israeli officials had publicly admitted to exerting political influence over delegations to secure their country’s continued participation, remarking: “What more are we going to see?”
In his letter, Green acknowledged that many fans wanted Eurovision to take a stance on geopolitical issues but maintained that “the only way the Eurovision Song Contest can continue to bring people together is by ensuring we are guided by our rules first and foremost.”
Recently, EBU members decided not to vote on Israel’s participation in the 2026 contest, allowing the country to compete. In response, the five broadcasters—Spain’s RTVE, the Netherlands’ NPO, Slovenia’s RTVSLO, Ireland’s RTE, and Iceland’s RUV—withdrew from the event in protest.
Green issued the letter at a time when tensions around the contest are escalating, with five national broadcasters—Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Ireland, and Iceland—pulling out in protest over Israel’s ongoing participation amid the Gaza conflict.
Lopez argued that Green’s communication failed to adequately address the seriousness of the situation. “Green does not mention Gaza or Israel in his letter. He speaks of ‘events’ in the Middle East that have moved him. Is genocide merely an ‘event’?” he wrote on social media platform X.
The RTVE chief further criticized Green for emphasizing that he “listens” to fans, adding: “Apparently, that is the extent of his role: listening.” He also questioned Green’s assertion that “the past is the past” and that contest rules would now be enforced. “What about Israel’s rule violations over the past two years? Have they simply been swept under the rug?” Lopez asked, suggesting that the EBU may apply its rules inconsistently “according to its geopolitical and economic alliances.”
Lopez also highlighted claims that Israeli officials had publicly admitted to exerting political influence over delegations to secure their country’s continued participation, remarking: “What more are we going to see?”
In his letter, Green acknowledged that many fans wanted Eurovision to take a stance on geopolitical issues but maintained that “the only way the Eurovision Song Contest can continue to bring people together is by ensuring we are guided by our rules first and foremost.”
Recently, EBU members decided not to vote on Israel’s participation in the 2026 contest, allowing the country to compete. In response, the five broadcasters—Spain’s RTVE, the Netherlands’ NPO, Slovenia’s RTVSLO, Ireland’s RTE, and Iceland’s RUV—withdrew from the event in protest.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Most popular stories
Market Research
More Story
Comments
No comment