ESC: Austria first, Israel second
The Austrian singer JJ has won this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Basel with his song Wasted Love. Once again, heated discussions and disruptive actions took place during the competition due to Israel's participation. Israel was represented by Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October 2023. She came second thanks to enormous backing in the audience vote.
Giving Europe a heart
The Süddeutsche Zeitung highlights the ESC's symbolic significance for Europe:
“Year after year, the event succeeds where politics regularly fails: in bringing Europe and many other countries together emotionally. ... It is estimated that around 200 million people watch the song contest every year. That's an immense audience. Especially since in many respects the ESC is not mainstream. All queer and other identities, as well as almost all genres of pop music, are welcomed and celebrated. ... At this moment when the continent needs to reinvent itself, the ESC is more important than ever. Precisely because it succeeds where politics so often fails: in giving Europe a heart.”
A well-deserved victory
Der Standard praises Austria's winning entry Wasted Love:
“The dramatic build-up in which JJ, who trained at the Vienna State Opera, raises his voice to a high C sharp, culminates in a techno storm. The song combines skill with an element of surprise and a scale of emotions that makes its way from brittle whispers to ecstatic release. Yes, that's how you make a good song. The daring but ultimately spot-on black-and-white show, conceived by a professional, did the rest. And set this number apart from the competition.”
At odds with inclusive values
Israel should simply not be taking part, De Standaard insists:
“The contest has become a source of polarisation. This is at odds with the inclusive and universal values that the organisers claim to pursue. ... The principle of neutrality is becoming less and less credible. ... Above all, however, Israel's participation is unjustifiable from a moral point of view. It suggests that Israel is a normal country. The opposite is the case. It is a country that flouts the rules of international law.”
More friends than expected
Especially in light of the criticism of Israel's participation in the ESC, Echo24 is delighted that singer Yuval Raphael came second:
“Opponents of Israel and outright antisemites have a tradition of calling for a boycott, the exclusion of the country from the competition or other forms of protest. ... In the last two years this has intensified in connection with the war in the Gaza Strip. ... The reaction of the live audience to Yuval Raphael's performance was embarrassing, and there was even some booing. People expected this pressure to be reflected in the voting. ... But she scored 297 points in the public vote and shot to first place [in that category]. ... This is proof that Israel is not as alone in Europe as it may seem at first glance.”