RIGA - The association Jews for Peace has called on Latvijas Sabiedriskais Medijs (LSM) public service media company to reconsider its position regarding the Israeli public broadcaster's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
In a letter to the LSM board, the Public Electronic Mass Media Council (SEPLP) and Culture Minister Agnese Lace (Progressives), the association says that several European broadcasters have already called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to reconsider the participation of the Israeli public service broadcaster in the competition in light of alleged violations of international law and human rights by the Israeli authorities in the Gaza Strip. Despite this, the EBU General Assembly decided last December to allow the Israeli public service broadcaster to continue its participation in the contest, which has been followed by a number of national media announcements refusing to participate in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
The authors of the letter refer to reports and decisions of international bodies - the UN, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court - which have found alleged violations of international law and human rights on the part of Israel. The letter also raises concerns about the independence of the Israeli public media and its compliance with the EBU Statute and Code of Ethics.
The letter also criticizes certain public statements made by LSM representatives, stressing the need to separate politics from culture, pointing out that the Eurovision Song Contest also serves in practice as an instrument of public diplomacy. An example is the EBU's decision to exclude Russian broadcasters from the 2022 contest following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The association calls on LSM to urge the EBU to reconsider the eligibility of the Israeli public service broadcaster, to show solidarity with other European broadcasters, and to withdraw from this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The letter also urges to inform the public more systematically on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, using the assessments of international legal experts and documents from international organizations.
The association Jews for Peace was registered in September 2025, and its board consists of Laura Auliciema, Georgijs Katasevs and Davids Reznikis-Martovs, according to information from Firmas.lv.
The association's stated objectives are to promote the development of a diverse and inclusive Jewish cultural life and identity in Latvia, raise public awareness of the geopolitical situation in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue, to reduce prejudice and racism, and to develop media literacy, critical thinking, and civic participation.
In its public communications, the association criticizes Israel's policies and advocates respect for Palestinian rights, citing international law and human rights norms.
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