03 May 2024 , 11:30
1395
0
Olly Alexander broke down in tears while defending his involvement in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest - which kicks off in Sweden this month.
There has been a venomous atmosphere around the upcoming singing competition as some fans have taken issue with the fact Israel is participating amid the ongoing war against Hamas. In October last year, Hamas - a terrorist organisation with bases in the Gaza Strip - unleashed a brutal attack on Israel which saw over 1,000 innocent civilians slaughter in barbaric style in their own homes, and hundreds more citizens were kidnapped as hostages and dragged to Gaza.
The attack - which has been the single most violent attack on the global Jewish community since the holocaust of the Second World War - prompted retaliation from Israel which has bombed cities and dispatched ground forces to destroy the Hamas armies and retrieve the remaining hostages. The reaction has caused alarm around the world as Palestinian civilians caught up in the fighting have seen their livelihoods, homes and families destroyed - while the global community has struggled to get relief aid into the war-torn Middle Eastern country as Hamas operatives intercept aid trucks to steal provisions for themselves, and Israeli forces have been accused of blockading aid relief.
Some Eurovision fans think Israel should be banned from taking part in the 2024 contest due to the severity of the war and the toll it is having on civilian lives. Many have highlighted the fact that Russia has not been involved in the contest since they began an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022 - seemingly unwilling to acknowledge that Israel’s response to a brutal attack is incomparable to Russia’s power-grabbing invasion.
The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmo, Sweden, this month (TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Ima)Olly - who is representing the UK in the upcoming contest - has been caught up in the backlash as many fans have petitioned performers not to take part due to Israel’s involvement. And the 33-year-old has admitted the furore around the event has taken a toll on him.
Sex Pistols star John Lydon announces plans to represent Ireland in Eurovision
Fans noted that he seemed downcast during a Eurovision pre-party in London. Olly told The Times: “Yes, I struggled that day. I was holed up in a room trying not to have a breakdown. Normally, you get on stage and turn it on, but I felt really unable to do that. It was tough... I just could not get it together and then I felt ashamed of myself and embarassed.”
He was then asked if he feared his experience in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest was being “tarred” by the furore, and it is at this moment he is reported to have broken down in tears. He told the publication: “Obviously there are a lot of things I wish were different. And this is so much bigger than me and Eurovision, it really is.”
He added: “Obviously, I wish there wasn’t a war or this insane humanitarian crisis. I wish for peace and I have found this experience, at times, extremely... I’ve just felt really sad and distressed. But I still believe it’s a good thing when people come together for entertainment. That’s why I wanted to do Eurovision.”
While Russia has not participated in Eurovision since their illegal invasion of Ukraine began, they have not strictly been banned by the contest. Instead, the European Broadcasting Union excluded Russia's broadcasters from participating - and the Russian broadcaster has not renewed it's involvement since.
The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmo, south Sweden, this month - with the country hosting after Loreen won the show last year for the second time. The grand finale of the 2024 contest will take place on Saturday 11 May and will be broadcast in the UK on the BBC.