"Dumb and Pointless": Schellhorn Against "Cultural Boycotts" Before ESC
In the increasingly heated debate about Israel's participation in the Vienna Song Contest 2026, NEOS State Secretary Josef Schellhorn has now intervened. In response to the announcement by numerous countries to boycott the ESC should Israel participate, the State Secretary responsible for foreign culture emphasized in the "Kurier": "Cultural boycotts are dumb and pointless, they do not get us anywhere."
Schellhorn: "Then we have to endure it"
But of course, countries like Spain, Ireland, or Slovenia are democratic states and free in their decision. "If a neighboring country decides not to participate, then we as Austria have to endure it."
The exclusion of the Munich Philharmonic from a festival in Ghent, Belgium, due to their Israeli conductor Lahav Shani is also considered wrong by the NEOS politician. "Shani is conducting on Saturday and Sunday in Vienna - and that is good and important," Schellhorn referenced the maestro's concerts at the Vienna Musikverein. In general, it is unacceptable to subject cultural figures to "an ideological test," which also applies to Russian proponents like Anna Netrebko or Teodor Currentzis.
Shani Concert with Pröll
State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP), who is among other things responsible for combating anti-Semitism, sees the matter similarly and will attend the concert of the Munich Philharmonic with chief conductor Shani on Saturday. "Anti-Semitism has no place in Europe - not openly, not covertly. Art thrives on dialogue, openness, and diversity. It must fundamentally be the case that no musician is held responsible, defamed, or excluded for the politics of their home country," he stated in a statement sent to the APA.
Schellhorn announces in the "Kurier" that he will - together with NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger as Foreign Minister - send a letter to the European colleagues advising against any cultural boycott, which should be coordinated with the coalition partners ÖVP and SPÖ.
ESC With or Without Israel? Europe Divided
Regarding the Vienna ESC, the responsible broadcasting stations in Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, or the Netherlands have recently created facts and excluded participation should Israel be in the tournament. Iceland and Belgium also view a potential admission of Israel critically, but have not yet made a definitive decision.
Austria, as the host country, has, however, clearly spoken in favor of the participation of the country involved in the Gaza war through ORF Director General Roland Weißmann - a stance that was also supported by the Board of Trustees. And Israel itself declared at the beginning of the week through Golan Jochpaz, director of the responsible television station Kan: "There is no reason why Israel should not continue to be an important part of this cultural event."
As it stands, it is heading towards a final showdown in December when the European Broadcasting Union makes the decision at its General Assembly. After all, the EBU is the organizer of the ESC and thus responsible for the admission of countries.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.