Watch: Malta to stay in Eurovision even if Israel takes part, says Bonnici

Malta will not boycott the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici has confirmed, in contrast to growing calls for a boycott by several European countries.

Speaking to Times of Malta on Tuesday, Bonnici said he encourages “a culture of dialogue” and Malta will therefore not threaten to withdraw from the competition.

“I believe the Eurovision is a place of dialogue,” the minister said. “Although I completely criticise the actions of the Israeli government, I believe that the window of dialogue should always be open.”

He said he believes cultural spaces can be used to foster greater understanding.

“I think that culture should be that one safe space where dialogue can always occur,” he said.

Bonnici’s comments come as several countries, including Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, the Netherlands and most recently Spain, publicly threatened not to participate in next year’s edition of the song contest if Israel is allowed to compete.

Spain, one of the so-called “big five” countries that contribute financially to the contest, is the first among them to raise the prospect of withdrawal.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the contest, is expected to decide on Israel’s participation at its general assembly in December.

Bonnici was speaking to Times of Malta following a United Nations probe that accused Israel of committing genocide in Palestinian territory. The report also accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials of incitement.

The minister said he agreed with the UN’s assessment that Israel is committing genocide.

“Palestine has the right to exist as a nation state and I completely criticise what Israel is doing both in Palestine and outside Palestine,” he said.

He added that this was not the first time he had faced what he called the “big debate” on whether certain countries should be excluded from cultural events or programmes.

Following the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he recalled, there had been calls to exclude Russian composers from cultural programming locally.

Just as with the Israel question, his initial reaction had been to impose a ban. However, after further reflection, he decided that culture should remain a space for dialogue.