Spain’s public broadcaster defied Eurovision Music Contest organisers on Saturday to air a message in help of Palestinians – regardless of being warned to keep away from references to the Gaza offensive.
Forward of the ultimate, RTVE displayed the next textual content in white on a black background: “In terms of human rights, silence just isn’t an possibility. Peace and justice for Palestine.”
The European Broadcasters Union (EBU) had explicitly requested the Spanish broadcaster to not check with the Gaza conflict because of the non-political nature of the competitors. If RTVE selected to disregard this, “penalties” can be incurred, it stated in a letter, which RTVE revealed.
“Political statements that might jeopardize the neutrality of the competitors are prohibited,” the letter said.
In line with Spanish media reviews, the letter was triggered by a criticism from the Israeli public broadcaster KAN. KAN complained that within the second semi-final of the Eurovision Music Contest on Thursday night, Spanish presenters had referred to the deaths brought on by Israel’s actions in Gaza throughout the efficiency of Israeli candidate Yuval Raphael.
The EBU confirmed that it had been made clear to RTVE that the commentators should preserve neutrality.
In Basel, which hosted the competition, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed briefly with riot police. Blows have been exchanged and officers deployed tear fuel.
Commercial
Spain, together with Eire and Norway, recognised the State of Palestine in Might 2024, adopted by Slovenia in June.
The Spanish authorities is without doubt one of the most crucial voices within the EU in opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israeli authorities.
