German State Minister for Culture Wolfram Weimer said he plans to travel to Vienna to watch Israel's performance at the Eurovision Song Contest, while some other countries are boycotting the European pop music competition over Israel's participation.
"It's not a place where political matters of this magnitude should play a role," Weimer said on Tuesday.
He was very pleased that Israel was allowed to take part in the competition and was therefore travelling to Vienna to hear the Israeli singer Noam Bettan perform.
Several countries, including Spain and the Netherlands, are boycotting Eurovision this year in response to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023.
Protests and disruptions are expected this week in Vienna, where the semi-finals and final of the competition are set to take place.
There had been discussion about whether Israel should be excluded. The member broadcasters of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), who organize the event, decided in December to include Israel.
Weimer, who has previously advocated for Israel's participation, said that the broadcasters are independent, but he was pleased that in the end a clear majority had decided "in favour of openness, tolerance, and the unifying power of music."
The German state minister added that interest in the competition is huge.
Bettan will perform the pop song "Michelle" for Israel. Sarah Engels will represent Germany with the song "Fire." Weimer, however, did not mention her entry.
