Olly Alexander and other Eurovision contestants signed a statement urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing solidarity with the oppressed. The artists emphasized standing against hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, and promoting compassion and empathy. This action follows pressure on European broadcasters to boycott Israel's participation in the contest and controversy over Israel's entry lyrics referencing Hamas attacks.
Israel's revised Eurovision entry, 'Hurricane,' replaces the original song 'October Rain' which was rejected for perceived political references to the Hamas attacks in Israel. The new song by singer Eden Golan features more personal and general lyrics to comply with the non-political spirit of the competition. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) insisted on the change, emphasizing Eurovision's apolitical nature. The controversy arose from lyrics like 'There's no air left to breathe' and 'They were all good children,' which were seen as alluding to the Hamas attack and Israel's subsequent military actions in Gaza.
Israel has removed lyrics referencing the Hamas attack from its Eurovision entry 'October Rain' after being warned by contest officials that the song was too political. The potential submission, sung by Eden Golan, contained lines alluding to the victims of the Hamas attack on southern Israel, leading to concerns about breaching the competition's impartiality rules. The revision of the song's lyrics was agreed upon by Israel's national broadcaster Kan. Eurovision, scheduled for May 7 to May 11 in Malmo, Swede, prohibits political content in entries.
Olly Alexander, lead singer of Years and Years and star of 'It's A Sin', shared a clip on Twitter giving fans a first look at his Eurovision track titled 'Dizzy'. The catchy electronic pop hit received positive reactions from Eurovision fanatics, who called it an 'instant banger'. The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in May 2024, with Olly representing the UK. The first semi-final is on May 7, the second semi-final on May 9, and the grand final on May 11.
A year after Eurovision fans descended on Liverpool for a hugely successful event hosted on behalf of Ukraine, the annual song contest is heading to Sweden. Singer Olly Alexander will represent the UK with his song Dizzy, which was released on streaming services on Friday. Alexander will join BBC Radio 2's Zoe Ball later to officially launch the song and his Eurovision campaign. Here's everything you need to know about Eurovision ahead of the 2024 competition. The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual televised song writing competition which is organised by The European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Spain's Eurovision song titled 'Zorra' by the duo Nebulossa has caused a storm of controversy among conservatives and feminists. The song, whose title can be translated as an anti-female slur, has been criticized by the Feminist Movement of Madrid, who filed a complaint and requested its withdrawal from Eurovision due to its insulting nature towards women. However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has defended the song, stating that it challenges sexist stereotypes and that feminism can also be fun.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, following the country's win at the 2019 contest with the song "Arcade" by Duncan Laurence. The Netherlands was set to host the 2020 contest, before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcasters Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO), Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) and AVROTROS, the contest was held at Rotterdam Ahoy, and consisted of two semi-finals on 18 and 20 May, and a final on 22 May 2021. The three live shows were presented by Dutch television presenters and singers Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit, and Dutch YouTuber and make-up artist Nikkie de Jager.Thirty-nine countries participated in the contest, of which twenty-six re-entered the artists chosen for 2020 (albeit with different songs, as per the contest's rules). Bulgaria and Ukraine returned after their absence from the 2019 contest, while Hungary and Montenegro did not return after their participation in the 2019 edition. Armenia and Belarus had originally planned to participate, but Armenia withdrew due to its social and political crises following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, and Belarus was disqualified after submitting entries in violation of the rules twice, and not providing an eligible entry before the deadline.The winner was Italy with the song "Zitti e buoni", performed by Måneskin and written by the band's members Damiano David, Ethan Torchio, Thomas Raggi and Victoria De Angelis. France, Switzerland, Iceland and Ukraine rounded out the top five, with France and Switzerland achieving their best results since 1991 and 1993 respectively. Italy won the combined vote and televote, but placed fourth in the jury vote after Switzerland, France, and Malta. Italy was the second member of the "Big Five" since its introduction to win the contest after Germany in 2010. For the first time since 1995, none of the top three entries were performed in English, with France and Switzerland performing in French, and Italy in Italian.Also, for the first time since the current voting system was implemented in 2016, more than one country received no points from the televote in the final; these countries were Germany, Spain, the host country the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, the last of those becoming the first country to receive no points from both the jury and televote. It was the second time that the United Kingdom had received no points in the contest, the last time having been in 2003. For the first time since its debut in 2015, Australia failed to qualify for the final, making Ukraine the only country that has never failed to qualify from the semi-finals since their introduction in 2004.The EBU reported that the contest had an audience of 183 million viewers in 36 European markets, an increase of a million viewers from the previous edition, with an increase of seven percent in the 15–24 year old age range.
TEHRAN - Head of the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh said on Tuesday that Israel's "unprecedented political isolation" was evident in the resolution adopted the day before by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA. He made the remarks at a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian following their meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran earlier in the day. "The recent UN Security Council resolution is indicative of Israel's unprecedented political isolation and the United States also no longer has the will and ability to impose its demand on the international community. These show the unparalleled resistance of the Islamic resistance and Palestinian people," Haniyeh said. The Hamas leader stressed that despite heavy expenditures, Israel had failed to achieve its military objectives in Gaza and "is losing its political and international support".
The prestigious Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute awarded Associated Press (AP) for a picture of Shani Louk, a victim of a brutal Hamas attack, sparking backlash for the image depicting her dead body. Louk, a German-Israeli, was tragically murdered at the SuperNova Festival. AP and Reuters deny collusion with the attack and condemn the allegations. The photo, taken by AP freelance Ali Mahmud, led to widespread criticism and accusations of dishonoring Louk's memory. The competition, Pictures of the Year International, faced backlash for awarding such a graphic image.
The United Kingdom is set to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden. The British broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), internally selected Olly Alexander as the country's entrant for the 2024 contest with the song "Dizzy".As a member of the "Big Five", the United Kingdom automatically qualifies to compete in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 was the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Liverpool, United Kingdom, as Ukraine—the winner of the 2022 contest with the song "Stefania" by Kalush Orchestra—was unable to host the event due to the Russian invasion of the country. It was organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) acting as host broadcaster on behalf of the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC). The contest was held at Liverpool Arena, and consisted of two semi-finals on 9 and 11 May and a final on 13 May 2023. The three live shows were presented by British singer Alesha Dixon, British actress Hannah Waddingham, and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, with Irish television presenter Graham Norton joining for the final.Thirty-seven countries participated in the contest, with Bulgaria, Montenegro, and North Macedonia ceasing their participation, mainly due to the economic impact of the global energy crisis.The winner was Sweden with the song "Tattoo", performed by Loreen and written by her along with Jimmy Thörnfeldt, Jimmy Jansson, Moa Carlebecker, Peter Boström, and Thomas G:son. Finland, Israel, Italy, and Norway rounded out the top five. Sweden won the combined vote and jury vote, and came second to Finland in the televote. Loreen became the second performer to win the contest twice, after Irish singer Johnny Logan; it was also the seventh win for Sweden, tying Ireland's record for the most Eurovision victories.The EBU reported that the contest had a television audience of 162 million viewers in 38 European markets, an increase of a million viewers from the previous edition. A total of 15.6 million viewers watched the contest online on YouTube and TikTok.
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf is under scrutiny for sending 250,000 in aid to Gaza while his parents-in-law were trapped in the enclave. Accused of overriding officials' recommendations to donate to another UN agency, Yousaf defended his actions against claims of Islamophobia and terrorism links. The funding decision was in response to a flash appeal for emergency aid as Palestinians in Gaza faced displacement amid conflict. Countries, including the UK, have paused support for the aid agency UNRWA following Israeli accusations involving its staff in Hamas attacks. Pro-Palestinian rallies in Scotland called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Bashar Murad, a Palestinian singer based in Jerusalem, could represent Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest if he wins selection on Saturday..
A powerful pro-Israel group gathered donors at a summit outside Washington, where a video montage targeted top Democrats in primaries, including Rep. Jamaal Bowman and his challenger, George Latimer. The tensions over the Israel-Gaza war have become focal points in Democratic primaries from New York to Pennsylvania to Missouri, reflecting divisions in the party. Bowman, a Black Congressman, criticized Israel's military response to Hamas' attacks, drawing parallels between Israeli treatment of Palestinians and US police treatment of Black Americans.
Members of Brothers and Sisters in Arms and Bonot Alternativa (Women Building an Alternative) protested near the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem against Israel's exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews from mandatory military service. Israeli police scuffled with ultra-Orthodox Jewish men during a separate protest against a potential new draft law that could end their exemptions, using skunk water cannon to disperse protesters blocking a street.
70 songs written by 143 songwriters have won the Eurovision Song Contest, an international song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union. The contest, which has been broadcast every year since its debut in 1956 (with the exception of 2020), is one of the longest-running television programmes in the world. The contest's winner has been determined using numerous voting techniques throughout its history; centre to these have been the awarding of points to countries by juries or televoters. The country awarded the most points is declared the winner. The first Eurovision Song Contest was not won on points, but by votes (two per country), and only the winner was announced.There have been 67 contests, with one winner each year except the tied 1969 contest, which had four. 27 countries have won the contest, with Switzerland winning the first contest in 1956. The countries with the highest number of wins are Ireland and Sweden with seven wins each. Two people have won more than once as a performer: Ireland's Johnny Logan, who performed "What's Another Year" in 1980 and "Hold Me Now" in 1987, and Sweden's Loreen, who performed "Euphoria" in 2012 and "Tattoo" in 2023. Logan is also one of seven songwriters to have written more than one winning entry ("Hold Me Now" in 1987 and "Why Me?" in 1992, performed by Linda Martin), and is the only person to have three Eurovision victories to their credit, as either singer, songwriter or both. The other six songwriters with more than one winning entry to their credit are Willy van Hemert (Netherlands, 1957 and 1959), Yves Dessca (Monaco, 1971 and Luxembourg, 1972), Rolf Løvland (Norway, 1985 and 1995), Brendan Graham (Ireland, 1994 and 1996), and Thomas G:son and Peter Boström (both for Sweden's entries in 2012 and 2023).Relatively few winners of the Eurovision Song Contest have gone on to achieve major success in the music industry. The most notable winners who have gone on to become international stars are ABBA, who won the 1974 contest for Sweden with their song "Waterloo", and Céline Dion, who won the 1988 contest for Switzerland with the song "Ne partez pas sans moi". More recently, Duncan Laurence, who won the 2019 contest for the Netherlands with "Arcade", experienced worldwide streaming success with the song as a sleeper hit throughout 2020 and 2021, while Måneskin, winners of the 2021 contest for Italy with "Zitti e buoni", subsequently achieved worldwide popularity in the months following their victory.Since 2008, the winner has been awarded an official winner's trophy of the Eurovision Song Contest. The trophy is a handmade piece of sandblasted glass in the shape of a 1950s microphone. The songwriters and composers of the winning entry receive smaller versions of the trophy. The original design was created by Kjell Engman of Kosta Boda, who specialises in glass art.
The International Court of Justice has unanimously ordered Israel to ensure basic food supplies reach Palestinians in Gaza without delay, as famine is setting in with at least 31 deaths, including 27 children. Israel must open more land crossings for aid, following South Africa's accusations of genocide in Gaza. The ICJ's rulings command Israel to cooperate with the UN for unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance. Israel's previous actions in Gaza, including a war against Hamas fighters, have led to significant casualties and displacement, with over 32,500 deaths and 80% of Gaza's population displaced.
In the aftermath of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, an uptick in Islamophobic comments and sentiment has been observed, in both Israel itself and countries all over the world.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is set to be the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It is scheduled to take place in Malmö, Sweden, following the country's victory at the 2023 contest with the song "Tattoo" by Loreen. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Sveriges Television (SVT), the contest will be held at the Malmö Arena, and will consist of two semi-finals on 7 and 9 May, and a grand final on 11 May 2024. The three live shows will be presented by Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman, with the former having previously taken on the role in 2013 and 2016.Thirty-seven countries will participate in the contest, with Luxembourg returning 31 years after its last participation in 1993, while Romania opted not to participate after doing so the previous year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces Israel's return to cease-fire negotiations with Hamas after previous failed attempts. The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been involved in mediation efforts, but no agreement has been reached. Netanyahu rejects Hamas' demands for a hostage release and vows to continue military operations until the militant group is destroyed. The conflict in Gaza escalates with Israeli airstrikes and casualties, leading to concerns about humanitarian crises and international calls for aid access. Tensions in the West Bank rise, and discussions about potential military operations in Gaza intensify between Israel and the United States.
During a speech in North Carolina, US President Joe Biden acknowledged the concerns of pro-Palestinian protesters who interrupted him by shouting about healthcare in Gaza, stating that "Everybody deserves healthcare". Biden asked the audience to be patient with the protesters and admitted that they had a point, emphasizing the need for more care in Gaza. This incident occurred amidst US-Israel tensions, with Biden pressuring Israeli PM Netanyahu to allow more aid into Gaza and criticizing Israel's military campaign.
Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin announced Ireland's intervention in South Africa's genocide case against Israel, citing blatant violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. The move aims to challenge the high threshold for defining genocide, with focus on broadening criteria to include actions like blocking humanitarian aid. Israel denies the genocide allegations, stating it acts to prevent civilian casualties. Ireland's decision comes after a UN resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where half the population faces famine. The ICJ could take years to reach a final ruling on the matter.
The Eurovision Song Contest (French: Concours Eurovision de la chanson), often known simply as Eurovision or by its initialism ESC, is an international song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union. Each participating country submits an original song to be performed live and transmitted to national broadcasters via the Eurovision and Euroradio networks, with competing countries then casting votes for the other countries' songs to determine a winner.The contest was inspired by and based on Italy's national Sanremo Music Festival, held in the Italian Riviera since 1951. Eurovision has been held annually since 1956 (apart from 2020), making it the longest-running international music competition on TV and one of the world's longest-running television programmes. Active members of the EBU and invited associate members are eligible to compete; as of 2023, 52 countries have participated at least once. Each participating broadcaster sends one original song of three minutes duration or less to be performed live by a singer or group of up to six people aged 16 or older. Each country awards 1–8, 10 and 12 points to their ten favourite songs, based on the views of an assembled group of music professionals and the country's viewing public, with the song receiving the most points declared the winner. Other performances feature alongside the competition, including a specially-commissioned opening and interval act and guest performances by musicians and other personalities, with past acts including Cirque du Soleil, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Mika, Rita Ora and the first performance of Riverdance. Originally consisting of a single evening event, the contest has expanded as new countries joined (including countries outside of Europe, such as Israel and Australia), leading to the introduction of relegation procedures in the 1990s, before the creation of semi-finals in the 2000s. As of 2023, Germany has competed more times than any other country, having participated in all but one edition, while Ireland and Sweden both hold the record for the most victories, with seven wins each in total.Traditionally held in the country which won the preceding year's event, the contest provides an opportunity to promote the host country and city as a tourist destination. Thousands of spectators attend each year, along with journalists who cover all aspects of the contest, including rehearsals in venue, press conferences with the competing acts, in addition to other related events and performances in the host city. Alongside the generic Eurovision logo, a unique theme is typically developed for each event. The contest has aired in countries across all continents; it has been available online via the official Eurovision website since 2001. Eurovision ranks among the world's most watched non-sporting events every year, with hundreds of millions of viewers globally. Performing at the contest has often provided artists with a local career boost and in some cases long-lasting international success. Several of the best-selling music artists in the world have competed in past editions, including ABBA, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John; some of the world's best-selling singles have received their first international performance on the Eurovision stage.While having gained popularity with the viewing public in both participating and non-participating countries, the contest has also been the subject of criticism for its artistic quality as well as a perceived political aspect to the event. Concerns have been raised regarding political friendships and rivalries between countries potentially having an impact on the results. Controversial moments have included participating countries withdrawing at a late stage, censorship of broadcast segments by broadcasters, as well as political events impacting participation. Likewise, the contest has also been criticised for an over-abundance of elaborate stage shows at the cost of artistic merit. Eurovision has, however, gained popularity for its kitsch appeal, its musical span of ethnic and international styles, as well as emergence as part of LGBT culture, resulting in a large, active fanbase and an influence on popular culture. The popularity of the contest has led to the creation of several similar events, either organised by the EBU or created by external organisations; several special events have been organised by the EBU to celebrate select anniversaries or as a replacement due to cancellation.
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is set to be the 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE). The contest will take place in Spain, marking the first time that the contest has been held in the country as well as the first Eurovision event in Spain since the Eurovision Song Contest 1969 in Madrid.
Oliver Alexander Thornton (born 15 July 1990) is an English singer, actor and LGBT+ activist. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the pop band Years & Years who achieved two number one albums on the UK Albums Chart, a number one single and five top ten entries on the UK Singles Chart. Between 2021 and 2023 he continued to release music under the name until their dissolution in 2024.As an actor, he rose to critical acclaim for his performance as Ritchie Tozer in the Channel 4 drama series It's a Sin (2021). For his portrayal he was nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor. Alexander is set to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden with his song "Dizzy", which marked his first release under his own name.
State Department staffer Annelle Sheline resigned publicly over President Biden's Israel policy, stating colleagues feel betrayed by the administration's extreme support for Israel amid the Gaza offensive. Criticism includes violations of humanitarian laws and failure to uphold U.S. laws, prompting Biden's administration to face increased backlash. Polls show dwindling American support for Israel's actions in Gaza. Sheline's resignation follows another official's public protest in October. The staffer accused the administration of enabling a potential genocide in Gaza, leading to discussions on resigning in protest.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 was the 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Turin, Italy, following the country's victory at the 2021 contest with the song "Zitti e buoni" by Måneskin. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radiotelevisione italiana (RAI), the contest was held at the PalaOlimpico, and consisted of two semi-finals on 10 and 12 May, and a final on 14 May 2022. The three live shows were presented by Italian television presenter Alessandro Cattelan, Italian singer Laura Pausini and Lebanese-born British-French singer Mika.Forty countries participated in the contest, with Armenia and Montenegro returning after their absence from the previous edition. Russia had originally planned to participate, but was excluded due to its invasion of Ukraine.The winner was Ukraine with the song "Stefania", performed by Kalush Orchestra and written by the group's members Ihor Didenchuk, Oleh Psiuk, Tymofii Muzychuk and Vitalii Duzhyk, along with Ivan Klymenko. The United Kingdom finished in second place for a record-extending sixteenth time, also achieving its best result since 1998. Spain, Sweden and Serbia rounded out the top five, with Spain achieving its best result since 1995. Ukraine won the televote with 439 points, the most received in the contest's history to date, and came fourth in the jury vote behind the United Kingdom, Sweden and Spain. "Stefania" is the first song sung entirely in Ukrainian and the first song with hip-hop elements to win the contest.The EBU reported that the contest had a television audience of 161 million viewers in 34 European markets, a decrease of 22 million viewers from the previous edition, however, it is noted that this is due to the exclusion of Russia and the lack of audience figures from Ukraine, with the overall figures up by 7 million viewers in a comparable market from 2021. An increase of three per cent in the 15–24 year old age range was also reported. A total of 18 million viewers watched the contest online on YouTube and TikTok.
The International Court of Justice has unanimously ordered Israel to ensure uninterrupted access of food aid into Gaza amid worsening conditions leading to famine, contradicting Israel's claim of not obstructing aid deliveries. The court also directed Israel to take immediate measures to provide necessary humanitarian assistance and ensure its military does not violate the rights of Palestinians in Gaza. Additionally, the court called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas as per a UN security council resolution.
A letter from 220 U.S. law firms urging law school deans to address campus antisemitism has ignited a debate on lawyers' statements about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Muslim groups argue that the firms' focus on discrimination against Jews has minimized Palestinian suffering. Antisemitic incidents and reports of Islamophobia have surged in the United States since the conflict began. Muslim groups are calling for a new letter to law deans focused on Islamophobia and anti-Arab bigotry. The American Bar Association is expected to vote on new free speech rules for law schools to protect the exchange of ideas and safeguard robust debate.
The United Kingdom has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 65 times. It first took part in the second contest in 1957 and has entered every year since 1959. Along with Sweden and the Netherlands, the UK is one of only three countries with Eurovision victories in four different decades. It is one of the "Big Five" countries, along with France, Germany, Italy and Spain, that are automatically prequalified for the final each year as they are the biggest financial contributors to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The British national broadcaster, the BBC, broadcasts the event and has, on multiple occasions, organised different national selection processes to choose the British entry. The United Kingdom has won the Eurovision Song Contest five times, and has finished as runner-up on a record sixteen occasions. The UK has hosted the contest a record nine times, four times in London (1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977) and once each in Edinburgh (1972), Brighton (1974), Harrogate (1982), Birmingham (1998), and Liverpool (2023).The United Kingdom's five winners are Sandie Shaw with the song "Puppet on a String" (1967), Lulu with "Boom Bang-a-Bang" (1969 in a four-way tie), Brotherhood of Man with "Save Your Kisses for Me" (1976), Bucks Fizz with "Making Your Mind Up" (1981) and Katrina and the Waves with "Love Shine a Light" (1997). The UK has also achieved a record sixteen second-place finishes, the first in 1959 and the most recent in 2022.The United Kingdom finished outside the top ten on only three occasions prior to 2000 (1978, 1987 and 1999). In the 21st century, the United Kingdom has had a considerably poorer record in the competition, only reaching the top ten three times, with Jessica Garlick third (2002), Jade Ewen fifth (2009), and Sam Ryder second (2022), compounded by 12 non-top 20 finishes, including Jemini's 2003 nul points result, which was the first time that the country had come last in the contest. The UK has since finished in last place in 2008 with Andy Abraham (14 points), in 2010 with Josh Dubovie (10 points), in 2019 with Michael Rice (11 points), and in 2021 with James Newman (0 points).
Fifty-two countries have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since it started in 1956. Winners of the contest have come from twenty-seven of those countries. The contest, organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is held annually between members of the union. Broadcasters from different countries submit songs to the event and cast votes to determine the most popular in the competition.Participation in the contest is primarily open to all broadcasters with active EBU membership. To become an active member of the EBU, a broadcaster has to be from a country which is covered by the European Broadcasting Area or a member state of the Council of Europe. Eligibility to participate is not determined by geographic inclusion within the continent of Europe, despite the "Euro" in "Eurovision", nor does it have a direct connection with the European Union. Several countries geographically outside the boundaries of Europe have competed: Israel, Cyprus and Armenia, in Western Asia, since 1973, 1981 and 2006 respectively; Morocco, in North Africa, in the 1980 competition alone; and Australia making a debut in the 2015 contest. In addition, several transcontinental countries with only part of their territory in Europe have competed: Turkey, from 1975 to 2012; Russia, from 1994 to 2021; Georgia, since 2007; and Azerbaijan, which made its first appearance in the 2008 edition. Two of the countries that have previously sought to enter the competition, Lebanon and Tunisia, in Western Asia and North Africa respectively, are also outside of Europe. The Persian Gulf state of Qatar, in Western Asia, announced in 2009 its interest in joining the contest in time for the 2011 edition. However, this did not materialise, and there are no known plans for a future Qatari entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. Australia, where the contest has been broadcast since the 1970s, has participated every year since its debut in 2015.The number of countries participating each year has grown steadily, from seven in 1956 to over twenty in the late 1980s. A record 43 countries participated in 2008, 2011 and 2018. As the number of contestants has risen, preliminary competitions and relegation have been introduced, to ensure that as many countries as possible get the chance to compete. In 1993, a preliminary show, Kvalifikacija za Millstreet ("Qualification for Millstreet"), was held to select three Eastern European countries to compete for the first time in the main contest. After the 1993 contest, a relegation rule was introduced: the six lowest-placed countries in the contest would not compete in the following year. In 1996, a new system was introduced. Audiotapes of all twenty-nine entrants were submitted to national juries. The twenty-two highest-placed songs after the juries voted reached the contest. Norway, as the host country, directly qualified for the final. From 1997 to 2001, a system was used whereby the countries with the lowest average scores over the previous five years were relegated. Countries could not be relegated for more than one year at a time.The relegation system used in 1994 and 1995 was reused between 2001 and 2003. In 2004, a semi-final was introduced. The ten highest-placed countries in the previous year's contest qualified for the final, along with the "Big Four", the largest financial contributors to the EBU. All other countries entered the semi-final. Ten countries qualified from the semi, composing a final of twenty-four. Since 2008, two semi-finals are held with all countries, except the host country and the "Big Four" or "Big Five" (after Italy's return in 2011), participating in one of the semi-finals.Some countries, such as Germany, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom, have entered most years, while Morocco has only entered once. Two countries, Tunisia and Lebanon, have attempted to enter the contest but withdrew before making a debut.
A recent Gallup poll shows a decrease in support for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, with 55% of Americans disapproving and 36% approving. Democrats overwhelmingly disapprove at 75% to 18%, while Republicans show stronger support at 64%. Protests for a cease-fire and concerns for Palestinian lives are increasing. Americans still support Israel's cause but question the handling of the war. Majority view Israel's reasons for fighting valid. Concerns exist regarding civilian toll and humanitarian crisis, with calls for the Biden administration to take a tougher stance.
The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to enhance the humanitarian conditions in Gaza by opening more land crossings for supplies following a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of acts of genocide, which Israel denies. The court instructed Israel to ensure the uninterrupted provision of basic services and humanitarian aid, report back on implementation in a month, and prevent actions that could harm Palestinians under the Genocide Convention. The conflict arose from a Hamas attack on Oct 7, leading to Israeli airstrikes and ground operations causing casualties in Gaza.
A recent UN-backed report highlights the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza turning into a man-made famine, increasing pressure on Israel to fulfill its legal responsibilities. The UN's high commissioner for human rights suggested Israel may be using starvation as a weapon of war, potentially constituting a war crime. Despite Israel's denial of culpability, a backlog of aid trucks at the Egyptian border underscores the struggle to get supplies into Gaza. Jordan, the US, and the UK have resorted to air drops due to barriers. Tragic incidents, like drownings and injuries, have occurred in the chaotic distribution process. The US Navy is mobilizing resources to deliver aid by sea.
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is an ongoing military and political conflict in the Levant. Beginning in the mid-20th century, it is one of the world's longest-continuing conflicts. Key areas of the conflict include the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, borders, security, water rights, Palestinian freedom of movement, and the Palestinian right of return.The conflict has its origins in the arrival of Jewish immigrants and settlers to Palestine in the late 19th and 20th centuries and the advent of the Zionist movement. The local Arab population opposed Zionism, primarily out of fear of territorial displacement and dispossession. The Zionist movement garnered the support of an imperial power in the 1917 Balfour Declaration issued by Britain, which promised to support the creation of a "Jewish homeland in Palestine". Following World War I, Mandatory Palestine was established, and tensions grew into open sectarian conflict between Jews and Arabs. In 1936, an Arab revolt erupted demanding independence, which the British suppressed.The 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine triggered the 1948 Palestine war, which saw the expulsion and flight of most Palestinian Arabs, the establishment of Israel on most of the Mandate's territory, and the control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank by Egypt and Jordan, respectively. In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which became known as the Palestinian territories), which is now considered to be the longest military occupation in modern history, and has drawn international condemnation for violating the human rights of the Palestinians.The conflict has claimed many civilian casualties, mostly Palestinian, since its inception. Various attempts have been made to resolve the conflict as part of the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, alongside efforts to resolve the broader Arab–Israeli conflict. Progress towards a negotiated solution between the Israeli government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was made with the Oslo Accords of 1993–1995. The majority of recent peace efforts have been centred around the two-state solution, which involves the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Public support for a two-state solution, which formerly enjoyed support from both Israeli Jews and Palestinians, has dwindled in recent years. Official negotiations are mediated by the Quartet on the Middle East, which consists of the United Nations, the United States, Russia, and the European Union. The Arab League, which has proposed the Arab Peace Initiative, is another important actor, along with Egypt and Jordan. Since 2006, the Palestinian side has been split between Fatah dominating the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas that gained control of the Gaza Strip. Attempts to remedy this have been repeated and continuing. Since 2019, the Israeli side has also been experiencing political crisis. The latest round of peace negotiations began in July 2013 but were suspended in 2014. Since 2006, Hamas and Israel have fought five wars, the most recent of which began in 2023 and is ongoing as of March 2024.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks to take place in Doha and Cairo amidst stalled negotiations following a UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire. The war between Hamas and Israel, initiated by Hamas' attack on Israel resulting in casualties on both sides, continues with little progress in negotiations. Meanwhile, tensions rise as the U.S. expresses concerns over Israel's plans to invade Rafah and the situation escalates at the Gaza-Egypt border crossing and in the diplomatic efforts to prevent full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon.
The Gaza Strip is experiencing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the Israel–Hamas war. The crisis includes both a famine and a healthcare collapse. At the start of the war, Israel implemented a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in significant shortages of fuel, food, medication, water, and essential medical supplies. This siege resulted in a 90% drop in electricity availability, impacting hospital power supplies, sewage plants, and shutting down the desalination plants that provide drinking water. Widespread disease outbreaks have spread across Gaza.Heavy bombardment by Israeli airstrikes caused catastrophic damage to Gaza’s infrastructure, further deepening the crisis. By mid-November, Israel had dropped the equivalent of two nuclear bombs on Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 4,000 children killed in the war's first month. UN Secretary General António Guterres stated Gaza had "become a graveyard for children."Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, and a joint statement by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the UN Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and World Food Programme have warned of a dire humanitarian collapse. On November 8, UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk described the Rafah Crossing as "gates to a living nightmare."
"Dizzy" is a song by English singer-songwriter Olly Alexander. It was released on 1 March 2024 through Polydor Records and will represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. It marks Alexander's first release under his own name after the dissolution of Years & Years. The song received mixed reviews from music critics and pays homage to synth-pop music.
In May 2017 Palestinian political and military organization Hamas unveiled A Document of General Principles and Policies (وثيقة المبادئ والسياسات العامة لحركة حماس), often referred to as the new or revised Hamas charter. It advocated for a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders, describing this as a "formula of national consensus", but did not explicitly recognize Israel. The new charter holds that armed resistance against an occupying power is justified under international law.While the 1988 Hamas Charter had been widely criticized for its antisemitism, the 2017 document stated that Hamas' fight was not with Jews as such because of their religion but with the Zionist project. However, Hamas fell short of repudiating the original, 1988 charter, saying it was a document of its time and the new document represented Hamas's position for now.Views on the 2017 document varied. While some welcomed it as a sign of pragmatism and increased political maturity, and a potential step on the way to peace, many others dismissed it as a merely cosmetic effort designed to make Hamas sound more palatable while changing nothing about Hamas' underlying aims and methods.
The Gaza Strip ( ; Arabic: قِطَاعُ غَزَّةَ Qiṭāʿ Ġazzah [qɪˈtˤɑːʕ ˈɣaz.za]), or simply Gaza, is a polity and the smaller of the two Palestinian territories (the other being the West Bank). On the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Gaza is bordered by Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north.The territory came into being when it was controlled by Egypt during the 1948 Arab–Israeli war, and became a refuge for Palestinians who fled or were expelled during the 1948 Palestine war. Later, during the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured and occupied the Gaza Strip, initiating its decades-long military occupation of the Palestinian territories. The mid-1990s Oslo Accords established the Palestinian Authority (PA) as a limited governing authority, initially led by the secular party Fatah until that party's electoral defeat in 2006 to the Sunni Islamic Hamas. Hamas would then take over the governance of Gaza in a battle the next year, subsequently warring with Israel.In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew its military forces from Gaza, dismantled its settlements, and implemented a temporary blockade of Gaza. The blockade became indefinite after the 2007 Hamas takeover, supported by Egypt through restrictions on its land border with Gaza. Despite the Israeli disengagement, the United Nations (UN), the International Committee of the Red Cross, and many human-rights organizations continue to consider Gaza to be held under Israeli military occupation, due to what they consider Israel's effective military control over the territory; Israel disputes that it occupies the territory. The land, sea, and air blockade prevents people and goods from freely entering or leaving the territory, leading to Gaza often being called an "open-air prison." The UN, as well as at least 19 human-rights organizations, have urged Israel to lift the blockade. Israel has justified its blockade on the strip with wanting to stop flow of arms, but Palestinians and rights groups say it amounts to collective punishment and exacerbates dire living conditions.The Gaza Strip is 41 kilometres (25 miles) long, from 6 to 12 km (3.7 to 7.5 mi) wide, and has a total area of 365 km2 (141 sq mi). With around 2 million Palestinians on approximately 365 km2 (141 sq mi) of land, Gaza has one of the world's highest population densities. More than 70% of Gaza's population are refugees or descendents of refugees, half of whom are under the age of 18. Sunni Muslims make up most of Gaza's population, with a Palestinian Christian minority. Gaza has an annual population growth rate of 1.99% (2023 est.), the 39th-highest in the world. Gaza's unemployment rate is among the highest in the world, with an overall unemployment rate of 46% and a youth unemployment rate of 70%. The population has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Gaza has throughout the years been seen as a source of Palestinian nationalism and resistance.
On the evening of 27 October 2023, Israel launched a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, with the stated goals of eliminating and destroying Hamas, a military and political movement which led an attack against Israel earlier in October, and to free hostages taken by Hamas. Following the attack, Israel declared a state of war, tightened its blockade, ordered the evacuation of the northern Gaza Strip, and launched "Operation Swords of Iron".More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli operation, including over 12,500 children and 7,000 women, with another 7,000 people missing and presumed dead under the rubble of destroyed buildings. By mid-December Israel had dropped 29,000 munitions on Gaza, destroying or damaging 70 percent of homes in the Strip. Experts say that the scale and pace of destruction in Gaza is among the most severe in recent history. During the invasion, Israel destroyed at least a third of Gaza's homes and hundreds of cultural landmarks, and desecrated dozens of cemeteries in the strip.A severe humanitarian crisis has developed, with healthcare in a state of collapse, shortages of food, clean water, medicine and fuel due to the blockade, electricity and communications blackouts, and the UN warning of potential famine. It was widely reported that there is "no safe place in Gaza" as Israel struck areas it had previously told Palestinians to evacuate to. The widespread civilian deaths have led to accusations of war crimes against both Israel and Hamas. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million population have been internally displaced and around 250,000–500,000 Israelis were internally displaced, while thousands of Palestinians have been detained by Israel, and Israel has stated it lost 225 additional soldiers in its invasion as of 4 February 2024.As a result of the invasion, South Africa instituted proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), charging that Israel was guilty of committing a genocide, and requesting that the ICJ render provisional measures of protection.
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