[strollfan]

I don't really think Russia being banned is the precedent a lot of people seem to think it is. Ultimately Russia was getting banned from absolutely every sporting and entertainment event going, facing extreme sanctions from almost every government in Europe (all but around 5 competing countries in 2022) and there were a number of broadcasters who were highly likely to have pulled out. It would have been extremely odd for them to allow Russia to continue competing.

This time there's none of that, not a single broadcaster has pulled out because of Israel, the country is still competing in sporting events, European governments aren't taking anywhere near the same line on Israel as they did with Russia and indeed they still have overall support.

Really it's a situation more akin to Russia invading Crimea in 2014, nothing was done then either. It is ultimately a competition between broadcasters so there isn't much the EBU can do, and there isn't much they can say either without pissing people off. Banning Israel would be a clearly political decision that would set them apart from other events/organisations in a way that Russia 2022 didn't.

I agree the perception of it is different, but the line about disrepute really does make the situation a lot more difficult for the EBU. It's hard to look at the situation that is unfolding and think that the boycott calls, the harassing of artists, the plans for multiple rallies against Eurovision in Malmo, and a laundry list of other items don't bring the contest into disrepute.