Kneecap joins 1,100 artists and cultural workers urging Eurovision boycott

Pressure is mounting on Eurovision 2026 after more than 1,100 musicians and cultural figures, including Kneecap, Paloma Faith, Massive Attack and Paul Weller, backed a call to boycott the contest over Israel’s inclusion.

The appeal, organised by campaign group No Music For Genocide (NMFG), has also drawn support from artists such as David Holmes, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and Macklemore.

Paul Weller

In the letter, signatories urge countries to take the same course sought from the national broadcasters of Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Spain by pulling out of the widely watched music competition.

NMFG called on public broadcasters, performers, screening party organisers, crew members and fans to withhold their involvement in Eurovision and deny it a platform until Israel is excluded.

Massive Attack

The letter alleges that Israel is carrying out genocide in Gaza and argues that Eurovision must not be used to “whitewash and normalise” the country’s actions.

It also brands the EBU “hypocritical”, saying Russia was barred from Eurovision while Israel has not been, and adds that those backing the statement “refuse to be silent”.

Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, one of the signatories, was arrested earlier this month during a mass protest in central London against the ban on Palestine Action.

Irish rap trio Kneecap, whose work is marked by political themes and social commentary, said: “Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022. Israel has been murdering Palestinians for decades and is now committing genocide – and for the third year running, they’re welcomed back onto the stage.

“That’s not neutrality. That’s a choice. We’ve paid a price for speaking out – lost gigs, court cases, visa bans – and we’d do it all again tomorrow.

“Silence is complicity. We stand with No Music for Genocide and every artist, fan and broadcaster who refuses to let the world’s biggest music event be used to whitewash genocide. No stage for genocide. Free Palestine.”

NMFG organisers said: “Every year, for its entire 53-year tenure as a Eurovision participant, Israel has perpetuated its terrorising systems of apartheid, torture, land theft, and military occupation against Palestinians from the river to the sea with complete impunity.

“While many of us in the industry make light of Eurovision or doubt our own power as cultural producers, genocidal Israel’s leaders speak openly about the contest’s geopolitical value.

“NMFG stands with and amplifies the incredible grassroots organising efforts across Europe to boycott Eurovision until Israel is banned.

“From Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel to direct actionists, from Film Workers For Palestine in Hollywood to striking dockworkers in Italy and Morocco, people of conscience around the globe are fighting complicity in every industry for a free Palestine and a freer world.”

Eurovision has been approached for comment.

Source: Press Association