Danish Eurovision winner urges Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, several Eurovision participants, including Danish winner Saba, issued a statement urging for a ceasefire and peace. Voicing discomfort with the recent violence in Gaza and Israel, they advocate solidarity with the oppressed and demand a swift, sustainable truce with safe hostage returns. Participants from Norway, Switzerland, and Ireland also signed the statement, affirming music’s power to unite and denounce all hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. Israel’s entry had faced scrutiny by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for being too political and had to modify the song ‘October Rain’ which referenced Hamas attacks. The artists, like Saba, expressed the difficulty of rejoicing in the event shadowed by the Middle Eastern turmoil. Eurovision 2023 will be held in Malmö from May 7 to May 11.