Editing Eurovision Song Contest (section)

=== Political controversies ===
{{main|Controversies of the Eurovision Song Contest}}
[[File:Calls for boycott Eurovision Song Contest 2019 (crop).jpg|thumb|right|alt=A painted mural on a wall on a street in Girona, Spain: the Eurovision trophy appears covered in barbed wire surrounded by tower blocks, with the words "#BoycottEurovision2019" above, and "Free Palestine" in English and Arabic to the top left|A mural in [[Girona]] promoting a boycott of the {{Escyr|2019||2019 contest}} in Israel]]
As artists and songs ultimately represent a country, the contest has seen several controversial moments where political tensions between competing countries as a result of [[frozen conflict]]s, and in some cases open warfare, are reflected in the performances and voting.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robinson |first=Frances |date=3 May 2017 |title=13 times Eurovision got super political |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/13-times-eurovision-song-contest-got-political/ |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>

The [[Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|conflict]] between {{Esccnty|Armenia}} and {{Esccnty|Azerbaijan}} has affected the contest on numerous occasions. [[Armenia–Azerbaijan relations in the Eurovision Song Contest|Conflicts between the two countries at Eurovision]] escalated quickly since both countries began competing in the late 2000s, resulting in fines and disciplinary action for both countries' broadcasters over political stunts, and a forced change of title for one competing song due to allegations of political subtext.<ref name="ararat-diplomacy">{{Cite web |title=Can Eurovision Succeed Where Diplomacy Has Failed? |url=http://araratmagazine.org/2011/05/can-eurovision-succeed-where-diplomacy-has-failed/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606221748/http://araratmagazine.org/2011/05/can-eurovision-succeed-where-diplomacy-has-failed/ |archive-date=6 June 2014 |access-date=5 June 2014 |website=Ararat}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lomsadze |first=Giorgi |date=17 March 2015 |title=Armenia Dodges Eurovision Controversy |work=Eurasianet |url=https://eurasianet.org/armenia-dodges-eurovision-controversy |access-date=8 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Halpin |first=Chris |date=11 May 2016 |title=EBU sanctions Armenian broadcaster over Nagorno-Karabakh flag incident |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2016/05/11/ebu-sanctions-armenian-broadcaster-nagorno-karabakh-flag-incident/141783/ |access-date=8 July 2020 |website=wiwibloggs.co.uk}}</ref> Interactions between {{Esccnty|Russia}} and {{Esccnty|Ukraine}} in the contest had originally been positive, but as [[Russia–Ukraine relations|political relations]] soured between the two countries so, too, have [[Russia–Ukraine relations in the Eurovision Song Contest|relations at Eurovision]] become more complex. Complaints were levied against the winning song for {{Esccnty|Ukraine|y=2016|t=Ukraine in 2016}}, "[[1944 (song)|1944]]", whose lyrics referenced the [[Deportation of the Crimean Tatars|deportation]] of the [[Crimean Tatars]], but which the {{Esccnty|Russia|y=2016|t=Russian delegation}} claimed had a greater political meaning in light of [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russia's annexation]] of [[Crimea]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=22 February 2016 |title=Eurovision: Ukraine's entry aimed at Russia |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35630395 |access-date=8 July 2020 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Withnall |first=Adam |date=15 May 2016 |title=Russian officials threaten to boycott next Eurovision after victory for 'political' Ukraine entry |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eurovision-song-contest-2016-winner-ukraine-jamala-russia-threat-boycott-next-year-a7030591.html |access-date=8 July 2020 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> As {{Esccnty|Ukraine|y=2017}} prepared to host the {{Escyr|2017||following year's contest}}, {{Esccnty|Russia|y=2017}}'s selected representative, [[Yuliya Samoylova (singer)|Yuliya Samoylova]], was barred from entering the country due to having previously entered Crimea illegally according to Ukrainian law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2017 |title=Eurovision 2017: Ukraine bars Russian singer Samoilova from contest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39354775 |access-date=8 July 2020 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> [[Channel One Russia]] eventually pulled out of the contest after offers for Samoylova to perform remotely were refused by the broadcaster, resulting in the EBU reprimanding the [[Suspilne|Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine]] (UA:PBC).<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2017 |title=EBU: 'Russia no longer able to take part in Eurovision 2017' |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/russia-unable-to-participate-2017-ebu-statement |access-date=8 July 2020 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=[[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Eurovision threatens to ban Ukraine over Russian singer row |work=[[The Guardian]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/apr/01/eurovision-threatens-to-ban-ukraine-over-russian-singer-row |access-date=8 July 2020}}</ref> In the wake of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] and subsequent protests from other participating countries, {{Esccnty|Russia|y=2022}} was barred from competing in the {{Escyr|2022|3=2022 contest}}, which {{Esccnty|Ukraine|y=2022}} went on to win.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 February 2022 |title=EBU statement regarding the participation of Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 |url=https://eurovision.tv/mediacentre/release/ebu-statement-russia-2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 2022 |title=Eurovision: Russia banned from competing at 2022 Song Contest |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60530513 |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Belam |first1=Martin |last2=Cvorak |first2=Monika |date=14 May 2022 |title=Ukraine wins 2022 Eurovision song contest as UK finishes second in Turin |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/may/15/ukraine-wins-2022-eurovision-song-contest-as-uk-finishes-second-in-turin |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

The planned entry from {{Esccnty|Georgia|y=2009|t=Georgia in 2009}}, "We Don't Wanna Put In", caused controversy as the lyrics appeared to criticise [[Vladimir Putin]], in a move seen as opposition to the then-[[Prime Minister of Russia|Russian prime minister]] in the aftermath of the [[Russo-Georgian War]]. After requests by the EBU for changes to the lyrics were refused, the [[Georgian Public Broadcaster]] (GPB) subsequently withdrew from the event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 March 2009 |title=Eurovision axes 'anti-Putin' song |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7935865.stm |access-date=8 July 2020 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>{{sfn|West|2020|pp=253–257}} The planned entry from {{Esccnty|Belarus|y=2021|t=Belarus in 2021}}, "[[Ya nauchu tebya (I'll Teach You)]]", also caused controversy in the wake of [[2020–2021 Belarusian protests|demonstrations]] against disputed [[2020 Belarusian presidential election|election]] results, resulting in the [[Belteleradio|Belarusian Television and Radio Company]] (BTRC) being disqualified when the aforementioned song and another potential song were deemed to breach the contest's rules on neutrality and politicisation.<ref name="Belarus 2021">{{Cite web |date=26 March 2021 |title=EBU statement on Belarusian participation |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ebu-statement-on-belarusian-entry-2021 |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Agadellis |first=Stratos |date=11 March 2021 |title=Belarus: EBU releases statement on the country's entry for Eurovision 2021 |url=http://esctoday.com/182383/belarus-ebu-releases-statement-on-the-countrys-entry-for-eurovision-2021/ |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=esctoday.com}}</ref>

{{Esccnty|Israel}}'s participation in the contest has resulted in several controversial moments in the past, with the country's first appearance {{Esccnty|Israel|y=1973|t=in 1973}}, less than a year after the [[Munich massacre]], resulting in an increased security presence at the venue in [[Luxembourg City]].{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=52–55}}<ref name="Luxembourg 73" />{{sfn|West|2020|pp=83–86}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3396189,00.html|title=Debunking a Eurovision myth|work=Ynet|first=Josh|last=Hamerman|date=2007-05-08|access-date=2025-01-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516171800/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3396189,00.html|archive-date=2007-05-16}}</ref> Their first win {{Esccnty|Israel|y=1978|t=in 1978}} proved controversial for [[Arab world|Arab states]] broadcasting the contest which would typically cut to [[Television advertisement|advertisements]] when Israel performed due to a lack of [[International recognition of Israel|recognition of the country]], and when it became apparent Israel would win, many of these broadcasters cut the feed before the end of the voting.<ref name="Paris 78">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Paris 1978 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/paris-1978 |access-date=7 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=72–75}}<ref name="Roxburgh 2">{{Cite book |last=Roxburgh |first=Gordon |title=Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest |date=2014 |publisher=Telos Publishing |isbn=978-1-84583-093-9 |volume=Two: The 1970s |location=Prestatyn}}</ref> Broadcasters from Arab states which are eligible to compete have largely not participated, with {{Esccnty|Morocco}} the only Arab state to have entered Eurovision, competing for the first, and to date only time, in {{Escyr|1980}} when Israel was absent.{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=80–83}}<ref name="The Hague 80">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: The Hague 1980 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/the-hague-1980 |access-date=7 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Israel's participation has been criticised by those who oppose current [[Cabinet of Israel|government]] policies in the state, with calls raised by various political groups for a boycott ahead of the {{Escyr|2019||2019 contest}} in [[Tel Aviv]], including proponents of the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] movement in response to the country's policies towards [[Palestinians]] in the [[West Bank]] and [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]], as well as groups who take issue with perceived [[Pinkwashing (LGBTQ)|pinkwashing]] in Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrell |first=Stephen |date=10 May 2019 |title=Israel counters Eurovision boycott campaign with Google ads |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-music-eurovision-israel-preparations/israel-counters-eurovision-boycott-campaign-with-google-ads-idUSKCN1SG11L |access-date=7 July 2020 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Maikey |first1=Haneen |last2=Aked |first2=Hilary |date=4 March 2019 |title=L'Eurovision comme occasion de pinkwashing pour Israël – la communauté LGBT+ devrait le boycotter |trans-title=Eurovision as a pinkwashing opportunity for Israel – the LGBT+ community should boycott it |url=http://agencemediapalestine.fr/blog/2019/03/04/15797/ |access-date=7 July 2020 |website=agencemediapalestine.fr/ |publisher=Agence Médias Palestine |language=fr}}</ref> Others campaigned against a boycott, asserting that any cultural boycott would be antithetical to advancing peace in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherwin |first=Adam |date=30 April 2019 |title=Eurovision 2019: Stephen Fry & Sharon Osbourne lead celebrities rejecting boycott of Israel Song Contest |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/stephen-fry-sharon-osbourne-lead-celebrities-rejecting-boycott-of-israel-eurovision-song-contest-285507 |access-date=7 July 2020 |website=[[i (British newspaper)|i]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=30 April 2019 |title=Celebrities denounce proposed boycott of Eurovision in Israel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/apr/30/celebrities-denounce-proposed-boycott-of-eurovision-in-israel-stephen-fry |access-date=12 March 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Israel's participation in the contest was again put into question following the outbreak of the [[Gaza war]] in October 2023, with [[Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for exclusion|renewed calls for the nation's exclusion]] ahead of the {{escyr|2024||2024 event}}. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Mark |date=8 February 2024 |title=Israel chooses Eurovision 2024 entrant amid calls for a boycott |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68238270 |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Belgian TV interrupted transmission of the Israeli performance showing a message condemning its violations of human rights and stating that Israel is destroying freedom of press. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Belgium's VRT television protests against Israel during Eurovision broadcast |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/belgiums-vrt-television-protests-against-israel-during-eurovision-broadcast/3215242 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref> "[[Hurricane (Eden Golan song)|Hurricane]]", Israel's entry for that year's contest, was accepted by the EBU,<ref>{{cite web |title=FAQ: Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 - Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/mediacentre/frequently-asked-questions-israel-24 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest |access-date=11 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409150921/https://eurovision.tv/mediacentre/frequently-asked-questions-israel-24 |archive-date=9 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EBU Statement on abuse and harassment of ESC 2024 Artists |url=https://eurovision.tv/mediacentre/release/ebu-statement-esc-2024-artists |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest |access-date=11 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409150742/https://eurovision.tv/mediacentre/release/ebu-statement-esc-2024-artists |archive-date=9 April 2024 |date=9 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> although it was required to undergo rewrites as the EBU objected to the political nature of the original lyrics, which made reference to the [[October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel|7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Mark |title=Israel reveals Eurovision song after weeks of wrangling |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68533031 |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=11 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Israel: KAN Confirms Changes to Previously Rejected Eurovision Songs |url=https://eurovoix.com/2024/03/03/changes-to-previously-rejected-eurovision-songs/ |publisher=Eurovoix |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=3 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bryant |first=Miranda |date=2024-04-07 |title='We are not the arena to solve a Middle East conflict': Sweden braced for a politically charged Eurovision |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/apr/07/eurovision-sweden-middle-east-conflict-israel |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> In 2025, calls for vetoing the country continued with 72 former eurovision contestants signing an open letter to ban the country, denouncing its war crimes in Gaza. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-18 |title=Israel’s Yuval Raphael performs to mixed response at Eurovision 2025 final |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/eurovision/israel-eurovision-2025-final-performance-voting-odds-b2753035.html |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Canary |first=The |date=2025-05-18 |title=Israel's Eurovision appearance has turned into a PR disaster for the war criminals |url=https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2025/05/18/israel-eurovision/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Canary |language=en-GB}}</ref> The high televote score received by the country in 2024 and 2025 also caused controversy, with several voices denouncing influence operations by Israel and some European far-right affiliated media outlets. <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://elpais.com/television/2025-05-18/como-se-reparten-los-puntos-del-publico-en-eurovision-por-que-israel-domina-el-televoto.html |title=¿Cómo se reparten los puntos del público en Eurovisión? ¿Por qué Israel domina el televoto |work=[[elpais.com]] |date=2025-05-18 |access-date=2025-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lalibre.be/culture/musique/2025/05/19/les-resultats-de-leurovision-suscite-une-vive-polemique-il-est-evident-quisrael-a-tente-de-manipuler-le-televote-CS5WON2CBBATLBGRKR7TSPP2UI |title=Les résultats de l'Eurovision suscitent une vive polémique: "Il est évident qu'Israël a tenté de manipuler le télévote" |work=[[lalibre.be]] |date=2025-05-19 |access-date=2025-05-19}}</ref>