Pop Star Zara Larsson declined Eurovision performance over ‘Israel’s’ participation
Swedish global pop artist Zara Larsson confirmed she declined an offer to perform as an interval act at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Malmö, citing ethical objections related to the participation of ‘Israel’.
Larsson, known for hits like "Lush Life," revealed her decision during an appearance on the Swedish public broadcaster Sveriges Radio (SR), specifically on the program P4 Extra – Gästen, stating she "said no to Eurovision".
The singer was explicit about the political reasoning behind her withdrawal, explaining that she felt she could not professionally endorse the event given the context of the ongoing assault on Gaza.
“It’s a super big stage, over 100 million people watching, but I didn’t feel like I could go on that stage and stand for those who competed, Israel. It didn’t feel right there and then,” Larsson stated. She concluded that she was “not sad I declined and I would do it 100 times over.”
“I didn't want to do it. It didn't feel right,” Larsson said.
The decision by one of Sweden’s most internationally recognized artists aligned with a widespread domestic protest movement against the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) stance.
More than 1,000 Swedish musical artists, including celebrated names like Robyn, had signed an open letter published in Aftonbladet calling for ‘Israel’s’ exclusion.
The collective group criticized the EBU for demonstrating a "remarkable double standard" by allowing ‘Israel’ to compete while having banned Russia from the contest in 2022, citing that participation “would bring the competition into disrepute”.
The EBU, meanwhile, maintained the ESC’s non-political status, arguing it is a contest between public service broadcasters rather than governments.
Larsson’s refusal carried significant weight as she had previously expressed strong enthusiasm for the opportunity, telling her management following Sweden’s 2023 victory that she “would love to be part of the interval act next year”.
