Amnesty International condemned Eurovision organizers Monday for refusing to suspend Israel from this year’s contest, as protests, boycotts and criticism over Israel’s participation continue to mount.

The organization’s secretary general, Agnès Callamard, argued Israel should not be given an international stage against a backdrop of atrocities:

Instead of sending a clear message that there is a cost for Israel’s atrocity crimes against the Palestinian people, the EBU has given Israel this international stage even as it continues to commit genocide in Gaza, unlawful occupation and apartheid… Songs and sequins must not be allowed to drown out or distract from Israel’s atrocities or Palestinian suffering. There should be no stage for Israel at Eurovision while there is an ongoing genocide.

Callamard referred to the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) 2022 decision to bar Russia from Eurovision. At the time, the organization expressed concerns that “in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute.” Callamard said that refusing to treat Israel the same way is an “act of cowardice” and called on people everywhere to “act in accordance with their conscience and stand up for human rights.”

This year’s event will be held in Vienna, where police are anticipating protests including “blockades and disruption attempts.” Several countries have also withdrawn from the competition in protest, including Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands.

In a display of support for Israel’s continued participation, the group Creative Community for Peace released an open letter in April with more than 1,000 signatures from celebrities and industry professionals.

However, many others have expressed sentiments similar to Callamard’s, including Claudio Ciccone, a union representative for Italy’s state broadcaster. Italy is often called one of Eurovision’s “Big Five,” alongside France, Germany, Spain,and the UK because their broadcasters give the greatest financial contributions. Italy has ultimately remained in the competition, but Ciccone criticized the EBU’s decision.

“The Eurovision Song Contest should be a moment of cultural unity, of peace, of cultures talking to each other. But when a delegation like the Israeli one is brought there to present a good face of its government to the world, that should not be tolerated,” he said.

In addition, several past champions have condemned this year’s contest. For example, the 2024 Swiss winner returned the award in protest. The 1994 and 2013 winners, respectively, are part of a broader project called the No Music for Genocide petition. This boycott initiative was signed by over 1,000 artists and cultural figures.

Amnesty International’s research indicates that despite the October 2025 ceasefire, atrocities remain ongoing. The UN has also documented ongoing violations.

Eurovision is a music competition in which artists perform under their national flags, known for its extravagant choreography and costumes. While the EBU has said it aims to keep the the competition apolitical, Eurovision has often been seen as an opportunity for countries to promote messages and improve their international image.