UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese has strongly criticized the decision to allow Israel to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, describing the move as a dangerous normalization of atrocities committed against the Palestinian people.

In a post published late Sunday on X, Albanese said Israel continues to be treated as a normal participant in global political, cultural, and sporting arenas despite what she described as ongoing crimes in Gaza. She pointed out that Israel has not faced expulsion or meaningful isolation from major international institutions and events, including the United Nations, UEFA, FIFA, and FIBA.

“Genocide continues because it has become normalized,” Albanese wrote, arguing that international silence and cultural accommodation have helped entrench impunity. She noted that genuine accountability often begins when public pressure and political action emerge, referencing the growing European backlash against Israel’s presence in the contest.

Her remarks came as several European countries moved to take concrete action. On Thursday, Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Belgium officially announced their withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in protest against Israel’s participation.

Albanese also shared a critical image in her post, altering the Eurovision branding to read “Genevivision,” a reference intended to highlight what she described as the normalization of genocide through entertainment and cultural platforms.

Pro-Palestinian activists and human rights advocates praised her stance, saying it reflects growing global refusal to allow cultural events to serve as platforms to whitewash alleged war crimes. They argued that the European boycott marks an important shift toward holding Israel accountable in international public life. (ILKHA)