Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
A decision by the Minister of Culture in the Flemish government in Belgium has sparked mixed reactions, with criticism reaching the point of demanding her dismissal. The leader of the Liberal MR party, Georges-Louis Boucher, called for the resignation of Flemish Minister Caroline Gennet. He described the cancellation of a concert by Israeli conductor Lahav Shani at the Ghent Festival in Flanders as "a disgrace for our country." The Jewish Information and Documentation Center (JID) responded in a similar manner on Thursday. The leader of the MR party called for the resignation of Flemish Culture Minister Caroline Gennet, a Socialist (Voorwit), in a post on the Axe platform. He stated, "Are we now going to ask all Belgians to express their position on colonialism in order to determine whether we can program them according to the criteria of so-called virtue? This is politically motivated anti-Semitism, the opposite of what culture should be." Prime Minister De Wever described the decision as "reckless and irresponsible."
Prime Minister Bart De Wever of the Flemish Alliance (N-VA) party reacted with strong criticism to the decision of the Ghent Festival in Flanders to cancel a concert by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra scheduled for September 18. The orchestra was scheduled to perform at Ghent's Biglok Hall under its Israeli conductor, Lahav Shani. According to the organizers, "there is insufficient clarity regarding the conductor's position on the genocidal regime." De Wever said in a written statement: "The Prime Minister has taken note of the decision of the Ghent Festival in Flanders, at the request of the Ghent City Council and the Flemish Minister of Culture, to refuse to allow the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra to perform because of the conductor's nationality." This decision has sparked intense outrage in Germany and has been described as anti-Semitic. Imposing a professional ban on someone simply because of their origin is, to say the least, reckless and irresponsible. It is also rare for performers to be asked to substantiate their opinions in writing. This seems to me to be in complete contradiction with artistic freedom. The reputation of Flanders and the country as a whole is being damaged by this.
This comes after Ireland threatened on Thursday to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates.
The Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Vienna next May, is the second-largest television event in the world, with an audience of over 160 million.
"Unacceptable Participation"
According to a statement from the Irish Broadcasting Corporation, "Irish participation would be unacceptable in light of the ongoing and appalling loss of life in Gaza."
"We consider Ireland's participation unacceptable in light of the ongoing and appalling loss of life in the Gaza Strip," the statement said.
"The Irish Broadcasting Corporation is deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, the denial of access to international journalists, and the suffering of the hostages who remain in captivity." According to what was published by the European news network in Brussels, "Euronews," it added, "On the other hand, Israel denies targeting journalists in the Gaza Strip.
The Irish Broadcasting Corporation reported that several members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) indicated a problem regarding Israel's participation during a meeting held last July.
Clarification from the European Broadcasting Union
The EBU announced its understanding of "concerns and deeply held views regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East."
EBU Director-General Martin Green said in an emailed statement: "We continue to consult with all EBU members to gather views on how to manage participation and the geopolitical tension surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest."
He added: "Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm their interest in participating in next year's event in Vienna." It is up to each member to decide whether to participate in the contest, and we will respect any decision made by the broadcasters.
The Irish Broadcasting Corporation said a final decision on Ireland's participation in the 2026 contest, which will be held in Vienna, will be made once the European Broadcasting Union makes its own decision on Israel.
Objection from Slovenia and Spain
Earlier, the Slovenian Broadcasting Corporation (RTVSLO) announced it would not participate in next year's contest unless Israel did not.
This week, the Spanish Culture Minister stated that Spain should not participate either. In an interview with the television program "The First Hour" on Monday, Ernest Urtasun said: "We asked for Israel's expulsion from the Eurovision contest [earlier this year]."
However, protests in Malmö and Basel over the past two years have forced organizers in Geneva to offer a way out to broadcasters deeply concerned about the war.