Madonna Defends Eurovision Israel Performance: “I’ll Never Stop Playing Music to Suit Someone’s Political Agenda”

Madonna has commented on her expected performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. “I’ll never stop playing music to suit someone’s political agenda nor will I stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever in the world they may be,” Madonna said in a statement to Reuters.

“My heart breaks every time I hear about the innocent lives that are lost in this region and the violence that is so often perpetuated to suit the political goals of people who benefit from this ancient conflict. I hope and pray that we will soon break free from this terrible cycle of destruction and create a new path towards peace,” she added, according to Reuters.

Live Nation Israel first announced Madonna’s Eurovision performance in April, claiming that it would be “both historical and hysterical,” according to the BBC’s translation. She is expected to perform two songs, but the European Broadcasting Union [EBU] has not formally confirmed her guest appearance. At a press conference yesterday (May 13), Eurovision’s executive supervisor Jon Ola Sand said:

The EBU and [Israel’s national broadcasting company] KAN have never confirmed Madonna because we do not have a signed contract. If we don’t have a signed contract, she cannot perform on the stage. We are negotiating but if it’s not signed, it won’t happen. We have an artist that would love to participate on the stage, but without the contract, it can’t happen.

The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post report that Madonna is expected to arrive in Israel on Wednesday, May 15.

The finals of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest take place on May 18. Madonna’s expected performance has been met with criticism from groups who have urged a cultural boycott of Israel. Last month, Roger Waters wrote an op-ed for The Guardian with the hopes of dissuading Madonna from performing.

Following Madonna’s statement to Reuters, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel released the following response: