The leader of the anti-Hamas militia ("Popular forces") in Gaza was assassinated
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasser_Abu_Shabab

Ireland, Spain and Holland have pulled out of the Eurovision song contest, in protest against Israel. Ireland and Spain come as no surprise, and well I guess Holland is no surprise either. Israel can thank (itself and) Maccabi Tel Aviv & Reuters for that one. More countries are due to follow.

I must admit that I am opposed to all types of exclusion - I do not believe Russia, China, The Congo, North Korea, Israel or Any state should have its singers/contestants/athletes banned from competitions - I view that as collective punishment, which as you all know, is something I am against.

This post was edited by ferdia on Dec 4 2025 12:18pm

Excluding some singers from that contest has no real value, it's like EU's punishments for Russia just for facade...

have to disagree only insofar as russia deserved to be banned from the olympics. imo for 1 cycle like summer and winter, then let them back in. the state sponsored cheating was so prolific you have to do something as punishment.

north korea tho was allowed to send atheletes, and i think thats a good thing. bans should be related only to sport, not politics.

Ukraine should be allowed a chorus of Banderite children with blonde hair and blue eyes singing Tomorrow Belongs to Me while the Israeli delegation harumphs and walks out

This post was edited by Goomshill on Dec 9 2025 07:51am

here is a stream of thought -

Ukrainian nationals, and Russian nationals, should be allowed to compete in any sport/activity, which welcomes participants from states. Individuals should be banned for cheating or bringing the event into disrepute, but not because of their countries actions/views whatever. in my opinion. by extension, Israel should be allowed to compete in Eurovision. Palestinians should not be allowed to compete, under a Palestinian flag, but rather under the flag of Israel, noting they are a minority within Israel, and are not a sovereign state. hmmm i must trouble shoot this logic but it seems to hold?

you know, the more i think about it, the more eurovision should penalize ireland, spain and holland for this political stunt. the reality is that stuff like this happens when governments fail to do their job properly. by rights Israel should be sanctioned to the hilt by governments, but thats not the case, which leaves it to individual bodies to take a fragmented approach in protest. ye that seems about right - thats what the eurovision song contest issue is. isolated protest. if governments stayed in their own lane and did their job, we would not (or should not) see stuff like this happening. the fact that governments are not doing their job, i am minded to simply say, no one can fault Ireland, Spain and Holland noting they did not commit the original sin.

i didnt really think this through before but i am happy with my view now.

This post was edited by ferdia on Dec 9 2025 01:06pm

They banned the Russian pianist during this year Chopin Competition from displaying his nationality. He went in as a neutral not representing his country.

But I m on a fence on Israel's participation. I know you guys and Spain and Slovenia are boycotting their 2026 participation.

I would rather such music events and sports events to be separated from geo political issues. But that's just my take.

Canada banned a Russian teenage pianist for not actively denouncing Russia, when he had simply not taken any public position, on account he was a young Piano player not a politician. Even though he did speak out in support of Ukraine when they asked him his position. But still kept him banned;



This post was edited by Goomshill on Dec 9 2025 02:02pm

to reiterate - my comment is not for Israel to be banned, but for governments to do the right thing, and failing that, if individual bodies want to protest, fine, its petty, but no big deal. i do agree - such music events and sports events to be separated from geo political issues.



i think there were various things that occured after Russia invaded (things being banned on the international stage).

This post was edited by ferdia on Dec 9 2025 02:12pm