Malta’s Eurovision Boycott: Love for Contest Meets Politics

As the sun set over the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, the usually bustling Republic Street was quieter than usual. The reason? Many Maltese were boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest final, held in Turin, Italy, in protest against Israel’s hosting of the event next year. The boycott, led by local NGOs and political parties, has taken some of the glitz off this year’s finale, even thousands of miles away.

In the heart of Malta’s capital, posters and banners calling for a boycott of Eurovision 2019 lined the streets. The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates for non-violent pressure on Israel until it complies with international law, has gained traction in Malta. Local NGOs like the Malta Palestine Solidarity Committee and political parties like the leftist Alternattiva Demokratika have been vocal in their support.

“We believe that by participating in Eurovision, we’re giving Israel a free pass on its human rights abuses,” said Mark Camilleri, a spokesperson for the Malta Palestine Solidarity Committee. “We’re asking Maltese people to send a strong message by boycotting the event.”

Malta’s love for Eurovision is no secret. The island nation has participated in the contest 31 times since 1971, winning it once in 1998 with Chiara’s “The One That I Love”. This year, Maltese singer Michela Pace represented Malta with “Chameleon”, qualifying for the final. Yet, the boycott calls have complicated this love affair.

Some Maltese fans, like Maria Grech Ganado, a 35-year-old teacher from Birkirkara, are torn. “I love Eurovision, but I also believe in justice and human rights,” she said. “I’m not watching the final this year. It’s my small way of showing solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Israel won the right to host the 2019 contest after Netta Barzilai’s victory with “Toy” in 2018. However, the decision has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it provides a platform for Israel to whitewash its treatment of Palestinians. The BDS movement has called for a boycott of the event, with some artists pulling out of the Israeli leg of the Eurovision tour.

Meanwhile, Israel’s culture and sports minister, Miri Regev, has threatened to ban the Palestinian rapper who won the Israeli version of the X Factor, saying his political views are “against the State of Israel”. The controversy shows no signs of abating.

As the glitter of this year’s Eurovision final fades, the debate over the boycott continues to simmer in Malta. While some Maltese remain steadfast in their support of the boycott, others are torn between their love for the contest and their beliefs. One thing is clear: the boycott has injected a dose of politics into what is usually a lighthearted, feel-good event.

“We’re not asking people to stop loving Eurovision,” said Mark Camilleri. “We’re asking them to use their love for the contest to send a message for justice and human rights.”