Pégale duro al Fiero
Strike the beast hard
porque si no te deja el hombre;
Because if you don’t it will leave you hunger;
pégale porque te mata
Strike it because they’ll kill you
y te echan la tierra encima,
And they’ll cover you with earth,
canto tus mil canciones
Sing your thousand songs
y echo a andar con tus heridas
And set out walking with your wounds,
y juntos iremos al monte
And together we’ll go to the forest
a cantor luego a la vida.
For several years now, I have been writing to SBS to boycott Eurovision because Israel is using it to legitimize it’s genocide in Gaza. SBS have never listened. Why? What about the pink washing of genocide by Israel? Even ABC acknowledges this. I have heard on Late Night Live David Marr on LNL openly acknowledge that pink washing is an attempt to legitimize the apartheid state of Israel
Our local community station 4Zzz refused to send a journalist to Eurovision in Tel Aviv in 2019 because of this pink washing . And what about SBS is coverage of the Giroud Italia where they try to obfuscate the reality of the genocide but SBS can’t because people see it everywhere, they even write chalk on the route of the Giro: Bibi, you’re a killer.
How blind and complicit are SBS to tell their commentators not to mention it, to instruct your people to look away.!
What is wrong with SBS? Are you guided by the CIA? Is your news service guided by the Americans? SBS is supposed to be in favour of multiculturalism, yet SBS supports Israel is opposed to that ! This is a call to 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.
Attention: Myf Warhurst
On 16 September 2025, a UN Commission of Inquiry found that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. More than 100,000 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.
Yours sincerely,
Ian Curr