Hollywood legends wade into row over Israel’s Eurovision entry with open letter-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Dame Helen Mirren is amongst the stars who’ve signed the letter (Picture: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)

Helen Mirren, Boy George, and Sharon Osbourne are amongst the stars who’ve signed an open letter supporting Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision.

Shared on non-profit body Creative Community For Peace, who campaign against cultural boycotts of Israel, the letter has been signed by over 400 celebrities and figures in the entertainment industry.

They argue that the event held in May is a ‘celebration of unity and should not be used as a tool for politics’.

‘We have been shocked and disappointed to see some members of the entertainment community calling for Israel to be banished from the Contest for responding to the greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,’ it began.

On October 7, armed Hamas gunmen infiltrated southern Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis and sparking an all-out war between Israel and Hamas.

Since the conflict began, more than 20,000 Palestinians and hundreds of Israelis have been killed.

Sharon signed the letter (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

The letter, also signed by music producer Gene Simmons, music producer Scooter Braun, and Will & Grace actor Debra Messing, continued: ‘Furthermore, we believe that unifying events such as singing competitions are crucial to help bridge our cultural divides and unite people of all backgrounds through their shared love of music.

‘The annual Eurovision Song Contest embodies this unifying spirit. Every year, millions of people across Europe and around the world join in a massive display of cultural exchange and celebration of music.’

Eurovision has said it is ‘a competition for broadcasters, not governments’ (Picture: Eurovision)

More than 2000 artists from Iceland, Finland, and the host country Sweden signed open letters asking for Israel to be banned.

The Eurovision Song Contest told Metro.co.uk that it ‘it is a competition for broadcasters – not governments – and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the Contest for 50 years.’

They added that Israeli public broadcaster KAN ‘meets all the competition rules and can participate’.

‘The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) is aligned with other international organizations, including sports unions and federations and other international bodies, that have similarly maintained their inclusive stance towards Israeli participants in major competitions at this time,’ the organisation said.

‘The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.’

The competition will be held in Malmö after Sweden entrant Loreen won the 2023 competition held in Liverpool.

Olly Alexander will be representing the UK, and he’s already teased his entry song.

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