On the international desk, covering Eurovision doesn’t have to be a practice in separating the political from the lyrical

There needs to be space for a celebration of pop music and for a discussion of Israeli politics – both on our website, and, hopefully, among Eurovision fans

Planning how to cover Eurovision might not seem like a natural part of my job, as international editor.

But when it was clear the contest was to be held in Tel Aviv – organisers initially wanted to host it in Jerusalem – it was inevitable that our desk would have to get involved.

Like it or not, Eurovision is political, by its very nature. Yes, ostensibly it’s just a singing competition – a glorious celebration of all that glitters, and the worst end of the spectrum of Europe’s collective fashion and music tastes. But it’s that and so much more.

Even when the event is held in a less controversial destination, politics is always involved. We’re talking about nation states judging their neighbours and, sometimes, enemies.

They might be judging them on a musical number, but it’s a judgement nonetheless. It can’t be a coincidence that the UK came last this year, at exactly the moment we’re also the laughing stock of the world.

So on the night itself, our Middle East correspondent Bel Trew found herself in Eurovision village, alongside a music journalist who was covering the lyrical side.

She wrote about the protests outside the arena – where one Israeli activist told her that Eurovision was an attempt to “pinkwash” reality “while people are killed in Gaza”.

While Madonna had baulked at suggestions from pro-Palestinian activists that she should boycott the event on the night itself, she had two dancers each display an Israeli and a Palestinian flag.

She has been rebuked by the organisers who reminded her that “the Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event”.

Iceland’s act also faced punishment for displaying Palestinian flags when cameras panned to them during the count, saying the “consequences of this action” would be discussed by the contest’s executive board.

The Israeli flags seen throughout the arena were apparently not political.

Some Eurovision goers decried, to Bel, that what was meant to be a musical joyous extravaganza was being tarnished by pesky politics.

But why can’t it be both? There needs to be space for a celebration of pop music and for a discussion of Israeli politics – both on our website, and, hopefully, among those Eurovision viewers who can learn about a new country each year.

Yours,

Olivia Alabaster

International editor