Exclude Israel from ESC? Mikl-Leitner and Sobotka criticize statements by JJ-Diepresse.com
The ex-national council president calls the statements of the song contest winner « unacceptable ». Lower Austria’s governor advises him to “urge a historical lesson”. The countertenor feels misunderstood.
Austria’s ESC winner JJ wishes that the song contest will take place in Vienna next year and the second place Israel does not take part in it may. « It is very disappointing that Israel still takes part in the competition, » the Spanish newspaper quoted « El País“The 24-year-old.“ I would like the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna next year, without Israel. But the ball is now with the Ibu. We artists can only comment on this. «
A statement that is currently causing excitement on social networks. Also because two Israeli embassy employees were shot in the U.S. capital Washington at the Jewish Museum, the Capital Jewish Museum. A suspect was arrested. According to the police, the alleged perpetrator is said to have called « Free Palestine, Free Palestine ». ESC director Martin Green take the statements of the stations involved seriously, it is said: « Now that the event is over, we will have extensive discussions with the participating channels, think about all aspects of this year’s competition and collect feedback. This will be included in the planning of the 70th ESC in the coming year, » said Green according to the EBU.
Mikl-Leitner: « Pointed politically badly »
In Austria, ex-National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP) was outraged on Thursday. Johannes Pietsch’s statements are « unacceptable ». To want to exclude Israel from the ESC and to equate it with Russia, « is completely wrong and forgotten ». Who the « brutal terrorist attack of the Hamas Ignorated – in which over 1,200 people were murdered, families destroyed and numerous hostages, many of which are still in captivity – and at the same time demonized Israel, serves dangerous anti -Semitic patterns « . Anti -Semitism has no place in society – not on stage, » not in politics, and certainly not in the name of Austria « .
Lower Austria’s governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) also critically said: « Throwing Israel from the ESC? Certainly not, » she said in a broadcast. « JJ is a great singer-but apparently politically dangerously advised, » said Mikl-Leitner. She recommended the singer « urgently a history lesson ». In Lower Austria there will be « no ESC without Israel ».
JJ: « I’m sorry if words have been misunderstood »
JJ himself spoke up to the Causa to the « Kronen Zeitung » on Thursday. The countertenor had his record company Warner aligned: « I’m sorry if my words have been misunderstood. » And specified: « Although I criticize the Israeli government, I condemn any form of violence against civilians all over the world – be it against Israelis or Palestinians. I will not comment on this topic. »
It has not yet been decided where the Song Contest 2026 will take place. Vienna (specifically the town hall), Innsbruck (Olympiahalle), Graz (Stadthalle), Wels (with Linz) and Oberwart have already officially advertised this. In late summer which cities still knight about the singing competition and which will finally be awarded the contract.
By the way, the singer Yuval Raphael competed for Israel last Saturday evening. She is a survivor of the terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. At that time she was with a friend at the Nova Music Festival, on which terrorists from the Gaza Strip caused a massacre. (bright)
