Helen Mirren leads celebs wading into Israel Eurovision entry row as they pen open letter amid 'ban' calls

Last Updated, Feb 15, 2024, 10:06 AM

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Helen Mirren is one of several famous faces who’ve put their names to an open letter calling for Eurovision organisers to keep Israel in the contest.

The move from the select group of celebrities and entertainment industry figures comes in response to a group of Icelandic musicians who led calls for Israel to be banished due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

War broke out in Israel on October 7 after the terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on Israeli citizens, prompting the country to respond with a series of ground and air attacks on Gaza.

According to Reuters, at least 28,064 Palestinians have been killed and 67,611 others have been injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since the October 7 insurgence.

Hamas killed 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals during its October 7 attacks.

With the Eurovision Song Contest taking place in Sweden in May, organisers are readying themselves for the big event but have faced pressure to exclude Israel’s entry.

Kiss legend Gene Simmons has also signed the open letter regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision

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Now, Creative Community For Peace has produced an open letter accusing those calling for Israel’s ban of “subverting the spirit of the Contest and turning it from a celebration of unity into a tool of politics”.

Brits Mirren, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Boy George and Sharon Osbourne are among those who’ve signed the open letter while Stateside star such as Liev Schreiber, Gene Simmons, Scooter Braun, Mayim Bialik, Debra Messing, and Emmy Rossum have also backed the message.

In the lengthy open letter, the group claims: “Israel is fighting a war against a European Union-designated terrorist group that once again broke a ceasefire that day, and then went on to slaughter over 1,200 people.

“This current round of fighting is not a war that Israel wanted or started. To punish Israel would be an inversion of justice.”

Over 400 Entertainment Industry Leaders Rally Behind Israel’s Eurovision Inclusion!

Our open letter stands with the contestants and against efforts to politicize the event, emphasizing @Eurovision‘s power to foster unity through music.https://t.co/WBnrLP3aGr

— Creative Community for Peace (@CCFPeace) February 14, 2024

Brits Mirren, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Boy George, and Sharon Osbourne are among those who’ve signed the open letter while Stateside stars such as Liev Schreiber, Gene Simmons, Scooter Braun, Mayim Bialik, Debra Messing, and Emmy Rossum have also backed the message.

“This current round of fighting is not a war that Israel wanted or started. To punish Israel would be an inversion of justice.”

Helen Mirren has led calls to keep Israel in Eurovision

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A spokesperson responded to the open letter, telling Metro.co.uk that Eurovision remains “a competition for broadcasters – not governments – and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the Contest for 50 years.”

The spokesperson added: “The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) is aligned with other international organisations, including sports unions and federations and other international bodies, that have similarly maintained their inclusive stance towards Israeli participants in major competitions at this time.”

The UK will participate in this year’s competition with Years and Years singer Olly Alexander representing.

The 33-year-old’s single is titled Dizzy – although after he dropped a teaser of the track last month, some fans were left fearing the worst for the UK’s chances.

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