Momentum Calls on Government to act with courage, principle, and integrity on the issue of participation in Eurovision
Momentum strongly condemns the Government of Malta’s decision, articulated by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici, that Malta will remain in the Eurovision Song Contest even if Israel participates, despite international calls for boycott. We find this position morally untenable in the face of mounting evidence of genocide in Gaza perpetrated by the Israeli Government, as recently confirmed in a United Nations probe.
The Government’s stance, that Malta should persist in participating under the guise of “dialogue” despite Israel’s ongoing war crimes and atrocities, betrays a failure of moral leadership.
Dialogue is essential, but it cannot become an excuse for normalisation of acts that have been globally condemned. By taking part alongside Israel, Malta implicitly risks conveying that cultural event participation is separate from the accountability for serious violations of international human rights law.
Momentum believes that a boycott is justified because:
- The UN probe has stated that Israel is committing genocide in Palestinian territory.
- Malta has moral, legal, and diplomatic obligations to respect human rights, uphold international law, and stand in solidarity with populations living under occupation and suffering severe violations.
- Participating in Eurovision alongside Israel now undermines those obligations, sends mixed signals internationally, and damages Malta’s reputation as a nation committed to justice and human rights.
- Many Jewish people, including Holocaust survivors, have condemned Israel’s behavior, and called it genocide.
Momentum appeals to the Government to reverse its decision and commit wholeheartedly to boycotting Eurovision if Israel is allowed to participate, unless there is credible accountability and cessation of the genocide.
Momentum calls for a full, transparent, and public debate in Parliament on Malta’s engagement in cultural events with states accused of war crimes, so that the people of Malta can have democratic input.
Malta should push within the European Broadcasting Union, the United Nations, and other international organs to ensure that participation in cultural competitions is contingent on adherence to international humanitarian law.
Momentum believes that culture and art have immense power but that power must never be used to sanitise, whitewash or legitimise ongoing atrocities. To stand by and watch Israel take part in Eurovision under the current conditions is to shirk our shared responsibility as Maltese citizens, as Europeans, and as a moral actor on the global stage.
We call upon the Government to act with courage, principle, and integrity. Malta must not remain complicit through silence or inaction.
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