Finland’s broadcaster may be considering withdrawing from Eurovision 2024 over Israel’s participation.
That’s the takeaway if you read between the lines of a recent Instagram Story from the official Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu account.
Their response comes after a wave of fans wrote to them with their concerns. The @uudenmusiikinkilpailu account posted:
“Hello! Thank you for the many messages and remarks. We’ve read every one of them and the message has been passed on to Yle. The situation in the Middle East is very shocking and serious, and it’s also worrying the UMK group.”
“UMK, organised by Yle, has already grown into such a big programme that it is organised regardless of whether Finland participates in Eurovision or not. Regarding Eurovision, Yle’s management is closely following the situation and is in discussions with the EBU and other Nordic countries.”
The news comes as the death toll in Gaza passed 20,000. Data from Gaza’s health ministry indicates that nearly 300 people have been killed each day since the start of the conflict, excluding the seven-day ceasefire.
The UMK Insta Story is the first public statement from any account associated with a participating broadcaster that teases a potential withdrawal over Israel’s participation.
You’ll recall that on 6 December Norway’s NRK stated that it had “not yet taken a position” on Israel’s participation.
It’s a topic that will continue to crop up. Iceland’s songwriting body recently wrote to the state broadcaster asking that Iceland withdraw if Israel participates.
