The discussion about the statements of the newly chosen Austrian ESC winner Johannes JJ Pietsch about the possible participation of Israel in the next Eurovision Song Contest has caused a broad political and social debate in Austria. After Pietsch ventured into an explosive comparison of Israel with Russia in an interview, the federal president Alexander van der Bellen also noticed – with a clear profession.
“On the other hand, I am responsible for the behavior of a government,” Van der Bellen said in a statement available for the “Kroon”. At the same time, he emphasized that a distinction should be made between a “immobile attitude towards the state of Israel” and the criticism of the “current government of Netanyahu in the Gaza case”.
The federal president thus opposed the judgments of the flat rate, both in the direction of the Israeli state and artists. It is important to support the state of Israel without having to criticize the necessary criticism of government actions.
Violent criticism of Pietsch’s statements
Pietsch had previously explained in an interview with the Spanish newspaper “El Pais” that he wanted an ESC 2025 without Israeli participation and was “disappointed” that Israel was not comparable to Russia this year due to the Ukraine war. These statements have had sharp criticism. The Austrian-Israeli society (Öig) now accused Pietsch about a lack of empathy about the Israeli ESC competitor Yuval Raphael, who had just survived the Hamas-Bloedbad at the Nova Festival.
Peter Florianschütz, president of the Öig, spoke about a “disavouage” by Pietsch and described his statements as “anti -semitic” or “stupid”. Both are problematic, he emphasized.
Political reactions from all camps
Leading politicians also criticized the speeches of the artist. State Secretary Alexander Prölle called the comparison between Israel and Russia a “falsification of history”. Lower Austria, governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, even demanded that Pietsch should receive a “historical lesson”, and emphasized: “Anti-Semitism has no place in Europe-so on he disguises himself.”
National Councilor Wolfgang Sobotka spoke about an “unacceptable demonization of Israel” and warned of the reproduction of anti -Semitic patterns by Pietsch’s statements.
Relatification and withdrawal of Pietsch
On Thursday, Pietsch tried to put his statements in perspective on his record company Warner. He told him “if his words were misunderstood”. He condemned violence against civilians “all over the world – albeit against Israelis or Palestinians”. He didn’t want to express himself about the subject either.
IBU: ESC must remain apolitical
The European Radio Union (EBU), organizer of the Song Contest, also took a position: one was a Union of Public Service broadcasters, not the governments. The participation of a country is not dependent on political behavior. The ESC must remain a place for music, diversity and connection.
The Bellens intervention now brings a much more reconciling tone into the heated debate. The federal president warns of the separation of government criticism and states identity, as well as the reluctance in the assessment of individual artists.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
