Vienna, April 24, 2026 More than 1,000 artists, including Helen Mirren and Gene Simmons, have signed an open letter defending Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, countering a boycott petition signed by over 1,100 musicians such as Roger Waters and Peter Gabriel. The debate over Israel’s inclusion in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest has intensified as opposing petitions from high-profile artists highlight deep divisions over the political role of cultural events. While one group calls for a boycott over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, another argues that music should remain a unifying force.
Pro-Israel Letter Condemns Exclusion Calls
The open letter, organized by the group Creative Community For Peace, expresses dismay at efforts to exclude Israel from the contest. "Wir waren enttäuscht und schockiert, dass manche Mitglieder der Unterhaltungsindustrie zum Ausschluss Israels vom Contest aufgerufen haben, als Antwort auf das größe Massaker an Juden seit dem Holocaust," the letter states, translating to disappointment and shock over calls to ban Israel following what it describes as the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
The signatories, which include actors and musicians, emphasize the contest’s potential to foster unity. Another excerpt reads: "Wir glauben daran, dass Veranstaltungen wie Gesangswettbewerbe eine enorme Bedeutung haben, um kulturelle Unterschiede zu überbrücken und die Menschen unterschiedlichster Herkunft durch ihre gemeinsame Liebe zur Musik zusammenbringen" ("We believe that events like song contests play a significant role in bridging cultural differences and uniting people of diverse backgrounds through their shared love of music").