(JNS/EJP) The new director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green, has categorically rejected calls for a boycott of Israel that have been multiplying in recent weeks.

Among those urging a boycott is Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, which called for a “debate” over Israel’s participation in this year’s Eurovision due to “concerns” over the situation in war-torn Gaza.

This year, the choice of the Israeli representative has a strong symbolic dimension. Yuval Raphael, survivor of the Nova Festival massacres on Oct. 7, 2023, will be defending Israel’s colors with an evocative song: “A New Day Will Rise.”