All posts tagged: Israels

Broadcaster to boycott Eurovision again over Israel’s involvement

Broadcaster to boycott Eurovision again over Israel’s involvement

Published by Daniella Wilson

A Dutch broadcaster announced on Monday that it is boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year, calling the event a “platform for division” because of tensions over Israel’s involvement. The decision by AVROTROS comes after television organisations in the Netherlands, Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia and Spain refused to take part in this year’s contest because of Israel’s participation. It stated: “AVROTROS will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 because the event can no longer be considered neutral, with a participating country still involved in a large-scale military conflict.” The Dutch broadcaster, which has a long history of involvement with the competition, said it was leaving it to the public network NPO to decide on any Dutch involvement. AVROTROS director-general Taco Zimmerman said in a statement: “The Eurovision Song Contest was originally created to bring people and countries together. It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the contest, undermining its neutral character,” adding: “The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division.” Next year’s contest will take …

Why Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is so controversial

Why Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is so controversial

Published by Daniella Wilson

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place this month – but the popular music event remains mired in controversy surrounding the involvement of Israel. Several countries, including Spain – one of the “Big Five” nations ordinarily guaranteed a spot in the final – have withdrawn from the competition in protest at Israel’s participation. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organising body behind Eurovision, has faced calls to ban Israel for three years running, but has each time allowed Israel to remain in the competition. Meanwhile, Israel’s broadcaster was issued a warning by Eurovision after competition rules with a video asking fans to vote for the country’s act 10 times. This year the country is being represented by singer Noam Bettan, who will be competing with his song “Michelle”. (yair sigron/CC BY-SA 3.0) Israel’s actions in Gaza have been described by many – including a UN Commission, Amnesty International, and the International Association of Genocide Scholars – as a genocide. Israel has denied this. Explaining Spain’s reasons for boycotting the 2026 ceremony, José …

With Israel’s arms industry, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is soaring

With Israel’s arms industry, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is soaring

Published by Sam Flores

The booth of Israeli company Elbit Systems at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, June 16, 2025. BENOIT TESSIER / REUTERS On Wednesday, March 4, the defense company Elbit Systems became the highest-valued company listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange following a further 5% surge in its share price. Its market capitalization now stands at $40 billion (€34.5 billion), overtaking pharmaceutical company Teva and the country’s major banks. The company manufactures, among other products, surveillance drones and equipment for ground forces, aircraft and the navy. Over the past two years, Elbit Systems has experienced meteoric growth, fueled by the Israeli military’s successes on several fronts following the shock of October 7, 2023 – a fact that has also made it a regular target of pro-Palestinian groups in Europe. The company has also benefited from the pivotal role drones now play in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Growth appears set to continue. The European market looks especially promising for the company, which is based in Haifa, a strategic northern port city. …

Don’t misinterpret Bono’s criticism of Israel’s policies

Don’t misinterpret Bono’s criticism of Israel’s policies

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — I am getting tired of the rock-and-roll intifada. Here is what I am talking about. In April 2025 at Coachella in California, the Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap projected statements such as “Fuck Israel. Free Palestine,” and led the crowd in chants of “Free Palestine.” At Glastonbury in the UK, one of the world’s most storied music festivals, Bob Vylan took the stage and led the audience in chanting “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF.” Festival organizers reminded everyone that “there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence,” and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the “appalling hate speech.”  According to a friend who attended the Newport Folk Festival, an emcee held up a Palestinian flag, and the crowd roared its approval. Again, according to friends who attended, this past summer, at Tanglewood, in the quiet Jewish Berkshires, Graham Nash stopped his music in the middle of his set to declare that what is happening in Gaza is a genocide — again, to widespread applause. …

Israel’s tech sector says more staff seek relocation abroad-report

Israel’s tech sector says more staff seek relocation abroad-report

Published by Sam Flores

JERUSALEM, Dec ‌28 : Requests to relocate abroad by Israelis working at multinational companies operating in Israel rose in the past year in reaction to Israel’s two-year war against Palestinian militant group Hamas, a report showed on Sunday. The Israel Advanced Technology Industries Association (IATI) found that 53 per cent of companies reported an increase in relocation requests from Israeli employees, noting this was “a trend that may, over time, harm the local innovation engine and Israel’s technological leadership.” The tech sector accounts ‌for about 20 per cent of Israel’s GDP, 15 per cent of its jobs and more ‌than half of its exports. The hundreds of multinationals in Israel include Microsoft, Intel, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta and Apple. DISRUPTIONS IN SUPPLY CHAINS In its annual report, IATI also said some multinational companies are examining the transfer of investments and activities to other countries. “In some cases, companies that faced disruptions in supply chains found alternatives outside Israel during the war, and when these proved efficient, there is a risk that ‍activity will not fully return,” …

Somalia and African Union condemn Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

Somalia and African Union condemn Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

Published by Sam Flores

A man holds a flag of the breakaway state of Somaliland in front of the Hargeisa War Memorial monument in Hargeisa on November 7, 2024. LUIS TATO / AFP Somalia and the African Union reacted angrily Friday, December 26, after Israel formally recognized its northern region of Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state” – the first country to do so. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has for decades pushed for international recognition, which has been the key priority for president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi since he took office last year. But a Somali foreign ministry statement warned the decision was a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty that would undermine peace in the region. Several other countries also condemned Israel’s decision. The African Union said it “firmly rejects” Israel’s move, warning: “Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia…risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.” Somaliland “remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia”, which is a member of …