Belgian network interrupts Eurovision broadcast with Gaza protest message
Belgium’s VRT cut into its broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday night to deliver a message condemning Israel’s war in Gaza and crackdown on press freedom.
“We condemn the human rights violations of the Israeli state. Additionally, Israel is destroying press freedom,” said the broadcast message. “Therefore, we are taking a temporary break from our broadcast. Now, ceasefire.”
Calls for Eurovision to ban Israel, which will be represented in the contest’s grand finale, have grown amid the war on Gaza.
Eurovision resisted calls to eject Israel but asked the country to modify the lyrics of its original song, October Rain, which appeared to reference the Hamas attack on October 7.
More condemnation of attack against UNRWA
UN chief Antonio Guterres has also comment the attacks by Israelis on the UNRWA headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem.
“Targeting aid workers and humanitarian headquarters is unacceptable and must stop,” he wrote on X.
Jordanians march in Amman in support of Palestinians in Gaza
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