Eurovision: Calls for Israel to be banned from 2024 contest

More than 50,000 people have signed a petition demanding the ban of Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest.

The petition, which was started by a group of Swedish artists, argues that Israel's inclusion in the contest is "incompatible" with Eurovision's values of inclusivity and diversity.

The petition has gained traction in recent weeks, following the announcement that Israel will be represented by Eden Golan at this year's contest. Golan is a controversial figure in Israel, having been accused of making racist and homophobic remarks.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest, has said that it is aware of the petition and is "monitoring the situation."

The EBU has a long-standing policy of not commenting on political matters. However, it is possible that the organization could decide to ban Israel from the contest if it believes that the country's inclusion is causing significant damage to the Eurovision brand.

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most popular television events in the world, with an estimated audience of over 200 million people. The contest has been held annually since 1956, and is known for its flamboyant performances and over-the-top costumes.

Israel has competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 43 times, and has won four times. The country's most recent victory was in 2018, when Netta Barzilai won with the song "Toy."