Norwegian artists and various music organizations have requested that Israel be banned from Eurovision this year, due to the war in Gaza. But on Tuesday evening, the country chooses its artist for the competition. – I think they should think about themselves, and realize that this is not the year they should participate in something like that. That’s what Morten Thomassen, who is a leader in the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix club, says. Morten Thomassen believes Israel should reconsider. Photo: Ksenia Novikova / news Choosing a candidate tonight So far, it does not look like Israel intends to withdraw on its own initiative: Tonight the final of their “Grand Prix” will be held – a music competition called HaKokhav HaBa, or “The next star ” in Norwegian. Thomassen calls the TV program an “Idol-like affair”. It already started this autumn with entrance exams. Tonight, the artist will be chosen, based on four finalists. The song the artist will perform will be chosen at a later time. The artist Netta, who won Eurovision in 2018, was also selected through the TV series HaKokhav HaBa. Photo: AP Will Israel withdraw? The protests against the country’s participation have only become more and more numerous. Here in Norway, news has received 700 complaints about Israel being allowed to join the Folkefest. Many have expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that participation is not stopped. These campaigners wanted news to advise the EBU to ban Israel from Eurovision. Several protesters outside news in Oslo. During the Norwegian MGP final, Palestinian flags were waved outside news in Trondheim. Photo: Elina Rydland Ørnhaug – I think that the Israeli artist, if he comes, will get a rather uneasy welcome in the hall, says Morten Thomassen. That is why he thinks the country will withdraw before the final on 11 May: – I don’t think we will see Israel. I will be very surprised if they come. Hilde Henriksen Waage is professor of history at UiO, and senior researcher at PRIO, with the Middle East as a special field. She does not think Israel will withdraw. – It is hugely important for Israel to be part of Eurovision, this year more than ever, she says. Hilde Henriksen Waage is an expert on the conflict in Israel. – I do not think that Israel, without much stronger pressure than there is now, will withdraw, says Waage. On the contrary, she believes that they will bet more than ever on the competition. Both Thomassen and Waage believe that Israel will blame security reasons if they withdraw before May.
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– I will be very surprised if they come – news Culture and entertainment
