SBS: Cut the mic on genocide at Eurovision 2026! ✂️🎤

Hey SBS, cut the mic on genocide! Boycott Eurovision now! — Email SBS now!

On 4 December, the European Broadcasting Union confirmed Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. Four European broadcasters – Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain (one of Eurovision's "Big 5") – swiftly withdrew from the competition in protest.

SBS, Australia's Eurovision broadcaster, must join them.

On 16 September 2025, a UN Commission of Inquiry found that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Over 70,000 Palestinians have been massacred, and thousands more are missing or presumed dead under rubble. Israeli broadcaster Kan – slated to represent Israel at Eurovision – aired a segment where a presenter cheerfully signed bombs "to Gaza with love ...

On 4 December, the European Broadcasting Union confirmed Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. Four European broadcasters – Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain (one of Eurovision's "Big 5") – swiftly withdrew from the competition in protest.

SBS, Australia's Eurovision broadcaster, must join them.

On 16 September 2025, a UN Commission of Inquiry found that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Over 70,000 Palestinians have been massacred, and thousands more are missing or presumed dead under rubble. Israeli broadcaster Kan – slated to represent Israel at Eurovision – aired a segment where a presenter cheerfully signed bombs "to Gaza with love" and counted down their launch into Gaza.

Eurovision promotes itself as a celebration of "universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity". The EBU cited these values when excluding Russia in 2022, stating that inclusion "would bring the competition into disrepute". Allowing a state to participate while it commits genocide makes a mockery of these values.

SBS has Charter obligations to promote understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity. Their stated values include "We don't tolerate inequality", "We don't accept the status quo", and "We don't sit on the sidelines". Yet when questioned in Parliament, SBS claimed their commitment to "impartial coverage" means they can't "state a position" on Israel's participation – in a song contest. This utterly betrays their values.

The cultural boycotts that helped end apartheid in South Africa demonstrate that cultural pressure is both morally necessary and politically effective. It's time for Australia to join the growing international movement.

Contact SBS now and demand they:

Publicly call upon the EBU to disqualify Israel from Eurovision until it ceases its violations of international law and complies with UN resolutions and World Court rulings;
Immediately withdraw Australia's participation in Eurovision.

No entertainment is worth complicity in genocide.

Act now – SBS has until 10 December 2025 to withdraw without incurring a financial penalty.

📞 Bonus: we invite you to call SBS about your concerns too! You can call SBS toll-free on 1800 500 727 between 8:30am-5:30pm (AET) Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. ✍️ Sign the petition here. 🌐 BoycottEurovisionAustralia.org

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Email SBS to demand they oppose Israel's participation in Eurovision 2026

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Act now – SBS has until 10 December to withdraw without penalty.

💡Tip: try to personalise the email subject and message. Our impact will be much greater when you send emails in own voice.

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Dear SBS Leadership,

I am writing to call on SBS to uphold its Charter and values by publicly opposing Israel's participation in Eurovision 2026, and by withdrawing Australia's entry in protest of that inclusion.

On 16 September 2025, a UN Commission of Inquiry found that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed, with thousands more missing or presumed dead beneath the rubble. The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel's practices amount to apartheid, and that its decades-long occupation is unlawful. These are not political claims – they are legal findings by the world's highest international authorities.

When Russia was excluded from Eurovision for invading Ukraine, the EBU argued that allowing participation would "bring the competition into disrepute." Allowing a state found to be committing genocide raises an even more serious integrity concern.

Israel's broadcaster, Kan, has itself broadcast dehumanising conduct, including a 2023 segment where a presenter signed munitions destined for Gaza with messages such as "to Gaza with love." This is the broadcaster representing Israel at Eurovision.

Several European public broadcasters have already withdrawn from Eurovision 2026 due to Israel's inclusion. SBS should join them.

Instead, SBS has misappropriated "impartiality". At Senate Estimates, SBS claimed that "impartiality" prevents it from taking a position. This is incorrect for three key reasons:

(1) Eurovision is not journalism.
Impartiality is a journalistic standard. It is not mentioned in either the SBS values or Charter. Eurovision is an entertainment product. Choosing to broadcast or withdraw is not an editorial judgment of news content – it is a programming and ethical decision.

(2) Impartiality does not require moral blindness.
The findings of genocide and apartheid are facts established by the UN and the ICJ, not ideological positions. Recognising these findings is not bias.

(3) Participation is, in fact, a position.
Continuing to broadcast and participate in Eurovision while a genocide is underway is not neutrality – it is endorsement through silence and complicity through normalisation.

Impartiality cannot be used as a shield to avoid moral responsibility.

The SBS Charter (Section 6 of the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991) sets out SBS's principal function: "To provide multilingual and multicultural broadcasting and digital media services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect Australia's multicultural society." In fulfilling this function, SBS must:

(a) meet the communications needs of Australia's multicultural society, including ethnic, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities;
(b) increase awareness of the contribution of diverse cultures to Australia;
(c) promote understanding and acceptance of cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity;
(d–f) support cultural skills, preferred languages, and diverse creative resources;
(g–h) contribute to the diversity of national media and present many points of view using innovative expression.

Continuing to platform a state found to be committing genocide is in direct conflict with the Charter's core obligations:

(1) It does not meet the communications needs of culturally diverse communities, especially Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and others traumatised by events in Gaza;
(2) It does not promote understanding, acceptance, or respect for cultural and ethnic diversity when SBS appears indifferent to mass, targeted violence against an ethnic group;
(3) It fails to present "many points of view" when SBS refuses to acknowledge the legal and moral implications of genocide findings.

The Charter requires leadership, not passive alignment with EBU decisions.

SBS's values are a framework for ethical action:

(1) "We are audience obsessed."
SBS exists for the Australian public – a community that includes Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Jews, First Nations people, and every cultural group. Many of these communities are directly traumatised by ongoing mass violence in Gaza. Continuing with "business as usual" disregards their needs, experiences, and wellbeing.

(2) "We embrace difference."
SBS "does not tolerate inequality." A genocide is the most extreme form of inequality. Platforming Israel's entry contradicts this core value.

(3) "We are bold and brave."
SBS commits to challenging the status quo. Remaining silent while other broadcasters withdraw is not bravery – it is avoidance.

(4) "We engage and participate fully."
SBS states: "We don't sit on the sidelines." Yet SBS is currently doing exactly that – treating genocide as a spectator event and hiding behind procedural neutrality.

(5) "We look out for one another."
SBS fosters belonging and care. Many SBS audience members and staff come from communities directly impacted. Standing with them is an act of care and solidarity fully aligned with SBS's values.

I urge SBS to:

(1) Publicly call on the EBU to disqualify Israel until it complies with international law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice; and

(2) Immediately withdraw Australia's participation from Eurovision 2026, and not broadcast the event.

The SBS Charter and values – combined with the gravity of the international legal findings – leave no ethical alternative.

SBS must act now. Cut the mic on genocide.

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