CUT THE MIC ON GENOCIDE: SBS URGED TO BOYCOTT EUROVISION

The Socialist Bulletin Staff - 9/12/2025

PROTESTORS have demanded that the SBS follow the respectable lead of Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands, and boycott the Eurovision song contest, which has recently announced that it will allow the so-called State of Israel to compete, which will allow the occupation authorities to present themselves as a respectable nation with which to conduct cultural exchange.

The Eurovision song contest was founded in 1956 as an attempt to bring Western nations, primarily in Europe, together. Despite this, it has in recent years become a hub for political stunts, after the illegal dissolution of socialist systems in Eastern Europe, and the admittance of those nations to Eurovision. Controversy has been caused during conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the early parts of the 21st century, and more recently, between Russia and Ukraine, and during the genocide orchestrated by 'Israel'.

Following the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, the European Broadcasting Union, which runs the contest, swiftly banned Russia from competing. Today, despite the far greater harm inflicted on Palestinians, the European Broadcasting Union has refused to ban 'Israel' from themselves competing.

In response, several European nations, including Spain, member of the so-called 'Big 5' that gives Eurovision the most money, have announced that they will not be taking part in, or broadcasting, Eurovision in 2026.

Our very own Special Broadcasting Service, the SBS, made the shocking and bewildering decision to not join the boycott in 2026. This is despite polling showing that a large majority of Australians oppose the genocidal campaign led by the ethnostate 'Israel'.

SBS has several values listed as core values. These include "We don't tolerate inequality", "We don't accept the status quo", and "We don't sit on the sidelines". It is extremely clear that Acting Managing Director Jane Palfreyman, and all other leaders at the SBS, have not abided by these core values.