Israel to compete at Eurovision 2024 after changing controversial lyrics

Olly Alexander, the UK’s Eurovision contestant, to boycott the song contest in solidarity with Palestine.The push was put forward to the singer, actor and Years & Years vocalist via an open letter, which was published by Queers For Palestine.In the letter – which can be read in full here – the signatories urge the musician to boycott the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest due to the inclusion of Israel. “By refusing to expel Israel from the competition, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is providing cultural cover and endorsement for the catastrophic violence that Israel has unleashed on Palestinians,” it reads.“At a time when accountability is so urgently needed, Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision would enable and cover up its war crimes and crimes against humanity,” it continues.

abandoning Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and meddling in Israeli politics amid the Jewish State’s war with Hamas.Arad, a dual citizen who was born in Israel and moved to the US in 1969, sent in a scorching personal letter to Schumer Tuesday saying he was stunned by the high-ranking Jewish official’s betrayal of Israel’s leader in its time of need.“I am writing about your recent statement last Thursday when you called on Israel to hold new elections, saying you believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has `lost his way’ and is an obstacle to peace in the region amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I believe your statement is not only incorrect, but inappropriate,” Arad, 75, said.“It’s not your war.

In a sign that the Eurovision Song Contest is becoming ever more political as we head towards the competition in May, a London cinema has announced that it will not be screening the Grand Final unless Israel is banned from taking part.

Naman Ramachandran London’s biggest screening party for the Eurovision Song Contest finals has been canceled, the venue Rio Cinema and organizer Eurovision Party London have said. “Following discussion with the organizers of Eurovision Party London, we have collectively decided not to screen the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest this year while Israel remains in the competition,” the Rio Cinema said in a statement on X.

SXSW showcase have now pulled out of the festival in solidarity with Palestine.Kneecap, Sprints, Soda Blonde, Gavin James, Robert Grace, Mick Flannery, Chalk, Gurriers, Cardinals and NewDad all pulled out from the annual music, culture and arts showcase which takes place in Austin, Texas. This came after it was revealed that the US Army was a “super sponsor” of the event as well as defence contractor RTX Corporation, which has supplied weapons to Israel.Northern Irish-funded artists Enola Gay and Conchur also pulled out, joining the likes of their fellow Irish peers.UK funding channels (PRS Funded) booked the Northern Irish artists and were set to play various UK-led events that were different from the Music From Ireland showcases.

After a busy Oscars‘ weekend, Glen Powell is relaxing with some friends, including former Miss World Israel Noa Kochba.

NewDad, Cardinals, Enola Gay and Rachel Chinouriri have become the latest artists to boycott this year’s SXSW festival.The artists join the likes of Kneecap, Sprints, Lambrini Girls, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom and Squirrelflower in pulling out of performing at the festival due to the event’s association with the US army and weapons companies amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.The annual music, culture and arts showcase takes place in Austin, Texas from March 12-14.In a joint post on social media, Cardinals, Enola Gay, Gurriers, NewDad and Sprints wrote:“To be clear, we, as ‘Music From Ireland’ bands will be partaking in any official SXSW shows. We stand in complete solidarity with Palestine and others who have spoke out against, and boycotted SXSW.“Sponsorship of the festival from the US army as well as defence contractors/those sending arms to destroy innocent lives is an act we find disgusting and reprehensible.

Former Fox Television Studios and Shine Americas boss Emiliano Calemzuk is to take charge of Israeli network Reshet 13.

Eurovision 2024 song lyrics after initially sparking controversy.The country received widespread criticism with their entry this year formerly titled ‘October Rain’. Sung by 20-year-old Eden Golan, the track appeared to contain references to the victims of Hamas’ October 7 attacks.

Kneecap and Sprints are the latest artists to announce their withdrawal from this year’s South By Southwest Festival in solidarity with Palestine.The Irish artists join the likes of Lambrini Girls, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom and Squirrelflower in pulling out of performing at the festival due to the event’s association with the US army and weapons companies amid the Israel-Palestine conflict.The annual music, culture and arts showcase takes place in Austin, Texas from March 12-14.Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap shared in a statement yesterday (March 10) that their decision to not perform was made “in solidarity with the people of Palestine”.They also highlighted the “unacceptable deep links” the festival had to the US army – which is a “super sponsor” of the event – and defence contractor RTX Corporation, which has supplied weapons to Israel.The group added that the US military and other platformed weapons companies who are “at this very moment are enabling a genocide and famine against a trapped population”.The band continued that their decision would have a “significant financial impact” on them, but that it wasn’t “an iota of hardship when compared with the unimaginable suffering being inflicted every minute of every day on the people of Gaza”.A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)Kneecap also cited the platforming of collins Aerospace and BAE Systems as a reason for their boycott, adding that collectively with RTX, the companies were selling the weapons that have “murdered 31,000 Palestinians, over 21,000 of them women and children”.Sprints made their own statement this morning (March 11) in which they announced their withdrawal, writing: “In solidarity with the Palestinian people and as a stand against the US Army

was full of notable fashion, and many stars chose to add a red pin to their looks in support of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.Singer and Oscar winner Billie Eilish, and Poor Things actors Mark Ruffalo and Ramy Youssef were among the guests who wore the enamel red pin which connoted their solidarity with Artists4Ceasefire, a group of nearly 400 entertainment industry workers who urging President Biden to call for a ceasefire in the Other celebrities who signed the letter include , Bradley Cooper, Jessica Chastain, , Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong’o, Drake, Ben Affleck, and Jennifer Lopez.“We come together as artists and advocates, but most importantly as human beings witnessing the devastating loss of lives and unfolding horrors in Israel and Palestine,” the letter to President Biden begins. “We ask that, as President of the United States, you and the US Congress call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost."Prior to the pin's Oscars debut, they popped up at the Grammy awards of Boygenius band members Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker.

The stars of Poor Things have arrived at the 2024 Academy Awards!

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Billie Eilish is buttoned up at this year’s Oscars ceremony.

Israel’s Eurovision team have struggled to create a non-political song against the background of strong international feeling over the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

Stranger Things star Brett Gelman has spoken out after a third bookstore cancelled his signing event, following backlash surrounding his views on Israel.Book Soup in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, was set to be the next stop on the star’s debut book tour, promoting his short story collection, The Terrifying Realm Of The Possible: Nearly True Stories (set for release on March 19).However, similarly to bookstores in San Francisco and Winnetka, Illinois, Book Soup have cancelled his appearance. The decision comes after Gelman has been outspoken in support of Israel, particularly following the attack by Hamas on the Supernova music festival in October 2023.An initial statement released by Book Soup said that it “feels very strongly that a free society should protect individuals’ freedom of thought and expression,” before clarifying that the cancellation was in the interest of safety for Gelman, the staff and the attendees.According to the Los Angeles Times, the Fleabag star responded: “I am really wondering if there was any direct threat made.

Israel’s public broadcaster has reversed its previous stance and will request an alteration of lyrics to a song under consideration for this year’s Eurovision competition.

Eurovision Song Contest. The country’s preferred option for the contest is ‘October Rain’ by the 20-year-old Eden Golan. The song’s lyrics appear to contain references to the victims of Hamas’ October 7 attacks.

Glastonbury is giving away free tickets to this year’s festival to support people affected by conflict – find all the details below.Fans can be in with a chance of winning one of 20 pairs of tickets on offer by entering a prize draw via Crowdfunder.“Money raised will be donated to the British Red Cross, Oxfam and War Child who are working in areas of conflict delivering humanitarian support to those who need it most,” the page reads.The prize draw is open to UK residents until 12 noon (GMT) on Thursday, March 28. One entry costs £10, and you may enter multiple times.

Voters across Rochdale have gone to the ballot box to elect their new MP following the death of Sir Tony Lloyd.

K.J. Yossman The MTV Europe Music Awards will take place in Manchester, U.K. this November, the network has confirmed.