Can Eurovision become Europolicy?

Corinne Cumming/EBU

Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest offered a tantalising insight to European politicians if they are able to spot it; that their reading of their own public may be completely wrong. That the European public wants a political agenda that supports Israel and the values it represents.

Eurovision used to be simply a jolly annual rejoicing of camp. Where enjoyment of cheesy tunes and folkloric weirdness could be celebrated. And it was one Isreal was able to tune right into with winners like ‘A-Ba-Ni-Bi’, ‘Hallelujah’, ‘Diva’ and ‘Toy’.

Now Eurovision is politicised with the disgraceful treatment of Eden Golan and attempts to exclude Yuval Raphael this year. It’s always been political – the Cyprus jury gave Greece it’s seemingly obligatory 12 points this year – but now it has become Political. And with that, a cheesy campfest actually begins to present serious political possibilities.

Eurovision has adopted a complicated voting system which is both entirely opaque and democratic. The first round of voting is by national juries composed of a handful of people selected by the relevant national broadcaster. They get to vote for 10 countries, giving descending points to their choices. Their top choice gets 12 points. This year Yuval Raphael got 60 Jury points. Not very impressive. That is understandable. In a year in which Ireland’s broadcaster questioned Israel’s participation, dressing it as ‘seeking a commitment for wider discussion on Israel’s inclusion’ – what weasel words, it is hard to imagine that many jurors on national committees felt comfortable saying ‘hey you know what the Israeli entry is great, let’s give her 12 points’
The public on the other hand was clear and unambiguous; Israel top choice with 297 points. In 2024 Israel gained even more public votes, 323.

The message is unmistakeable. The political message. Sometimes the way the tide is turning can be felt far from the shore. In this case a singing competition is delivering a message that every intelligent politician in Europe should be hearing and acting upon.

The media and political class is out of tune (get it…) with the public about Israel. If the public, in a politicised singing competition, backs Israel they will back politicians who lose their ambiguities, hand-wringing, and equivalences, and support Israel like their public does. To offer their support to Israel to overcome its problems, not just criticise from fear of their own public reaction. If they do that they may reap their own electoral rewards at home. Maybe then in European policy ‘A New Day Will Rise’.