Eurovision 2019 is currently taking place in Tel Aviv, Israel. Due to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, this has caused controversy, loads of backlash and plenty of calls for boycott.
One artist who has received all of the above for her upcoming performance at the event is Madonna, who is…American. Regardless of why she’s performing at the event’s finale this weekend, she’s drawn heavy backlash. Now, she’s responded.
In a statement to Reuters, via Pitchfork, Madonna claims that she won’t stop her performance because of “political agenda.”
“I’ll never stop playing music to suit someone’s political agenda nor will I stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever in the world they may be,” she said.
“My heart breaks every time I hear about the innocent lives that are lost in this region and the violence that is so often perpetuated to suit the political goals of people who benefit from this ancient conflict.”
“I hope and pray that we will soon break free from this terrible cycle of destruction and create a new path towards peace.”
She is supposed to be performing two songs, one taken from her upcoming album Madame X, but interestingly the European Broadcasting Union says she hasn’t signed a contract to perform yet, and without that she won’t be performing.
According to Pitchfork, Eurovision’s executive producer said “The EBU and [Israel’s national broadcasting company] KAN have never confirmed Madonna because we do not have a signed contract.”
“If we don’t have a signed contract, she cannot perform on the stage. We are negotiating but if it’s not signed, it won’t happen. We have an artist that would love to participate on the stage, but without the contract, it can’t happen.”
The Eurovision 2019 Grand Final airs this Sunday morning at 5am on SBS, and our very own Kate Miller-Heidke has made it through.
