EUROVISION is just around the corner, with representatives from all over the continent proudly singing their hearts out.
But not everyone is participating in the musical extravaganza — here we explain why.
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Which countries are not in Eurovision 2024?
The following countries are not taking part in the annual celebration of European music:
Andorra
Due to the state of its finances, the country has not competed in Eurovision since 2009.
Belarus
Belarus has been banned from competing since 2021 because its entry that year, Ya Nauchu Tebya (I’ll Teach You), contained lyrics deemed to be politically motivated.
The nation has since unsuccessfully appealed against the ban.
Bosnia and Herzaegovina
Although the country has appeared in the competition 19 times, monetary problems have meant it hasn’t competed since 2016.
Bulgaria
The nation will miss Eurovision for the second year running, with Bulgarian National Television citing financial difficulties as a key reason for their withdrawal.
Faroe Islands
Has never competed in the event despite being eligible.
Greenland
Has never competed in the event despite being eligible.
Hungary
Despite appearing 19 times, Hungary hasn’t taken part since 2019.
It is understood that the reason for this is financial difficulties experienced by MTVA, the national broadcaster.
Liechtenstein
Has never competed in the event despite being eligible.
Kosovo
Has never competed in the event despite being eligible.
[Eurovision] is not a contest between governments
EBU director-general Noel Curran
Monaco
The tiny principality has entered 23 times and won the competition in 1971, but funding issues and the demise of state broadcaster TMC have caused Monaco not to be involved.
Montenegro
After making its debut in 2007 and participating until 2022, lack of interest from sponsors caused Montenegro to withdraw.
Morocco
In 1980, the African nation became the only country from the continent to take part in Eurovsion, but hasn’t competed since then after Samira Bensaïd’s song Bitaqat Hub came 18th — second from bottom.
North Macedonia
Due to financial constraints, the small Balkan country will miss the contest for the second consecutive year in 2024 .
The Netherlands
Hours before the final was supposed to air, Dutch Eurovision act Joost Klein was suspended from performing due to an ongoing police investigation.
Romania
National broadcaster TVR confirmed Romania won’t take part in the 2024 edition.
Russia
Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia has been indefinitely suspended from the competition.
Slovakia
The country pulled out for financial reasons after competing between 1994 and 2021.
Turkey
Hasn’t competed since 2012 even though it has never officially withdrawn from the competition.
The reasons for this have never officially been definitively stated.
Vatican City
Has never competed in the event despite being eligible.
Is Israel competing in Eurovision 2024?
After changing the lyrics to its song, Israel was allowed to compete at Eurovision 2024, as confirmed by the competition’s organisers.
Eden Golan is representing the country at the contest in Malmo, Sweden.
Her original song, October Rain, was thought to reference the Hamas attacks of October 7.
It was barred for breaking rules on political neutrality.
But Israel’s public broadcaster agreed to amend the song, which is now titled Hurricane.
In a statement the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) — which organises the contest — explained: “The EBU can confirm that the official submission from its Israeli Member Kan has been deemed eligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest in May.
“The Contest’s Reference Group, its governing board, made the decision to accept the song ‘Hurricane’ for the upcoming competition after careful scrutiny of the lyrics.
“It was agreed that ‘Hurricane’ met the necessary criteria for participation in accordance with the rules of the competition.”
There have been calls for Israel to be disqualified from Eurovision 2024 because of the ongoing Gaza war.
Those calling for the nation’s disqualification include groups of musicians from Finland and Iceland.
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But there has also been an open letter to allow Israel’s participation in the contest, which has been signed by stars including Boy George, Sharon Osbourne and Helen Mirren.
EBU director-general Noel Curran said: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political music event and a competition between public service broadcasters who are members of the EBU. It is not a contest between governments.
“Our governing bodies … did review the participants list for the 2024 contest and agreed that the Israeli public broadcaster Kan met all the competition rules for this year and can participate, as it has for the past 50 years.”
Those who oppose the involvement of Israel have highlighted Russia’s expulsion following the illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Addressing this issue, Mr Curran said: “In the case of Russia, the Russian broadcasters themselves were suspended from the EBU due to their persistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service values.
“The relationship between Kan and the Israeli government is fundamentally different to the relationship that exists between those Russian members and the state, with the Israeli government in recent years threatening to close down the broadcaster.”
Which countries are returning to Eurovision 2024?
Five-time winner Luxembourg is returning to the competition for the first time since 1993.
The nation withdrew due to changes in broadcasting priorities and financial concerns.
However, it will be returning in 2024 with Tali Golergant and her song Fighter.
Eurovision Song Contest entries 2024
Here are all of the acts taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Finalists:
Out:
Disqualified:
Netherlands: Joost Klein – Europapa