In 1850, renowned German composer Richard Wagner released an essay called 'Jews in Music,' claiming that Jewish influence was contaminating Europe, particularly via musical works.

He insisted that opera venues and concert halls avoid performing pieces by Jewish composers, regardless of their appeal. Wagner urged European audiences to recognize these creators not as isolated talents but as carriers of a perilous 'Jewishness' undermining cultural and social foundations.

Nearly 170 years on, the 'Jews in Music' discussion resurfaces amid objections from several European countries to Israel's involvement in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. This hugely popular event, viewed by almost 200 million people, features national entries voted on by participating nations and is often seen as Europe's premier popularity showdown among countries.

Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have gone beyond Wagner's rhetoric. Labeling Israel's participation - amid renewed accusations of crimes against humanity - as intolerable, they imposed a complete broadcast ban to shield their publics from the show.

Echoing Wagner, Spain's Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun stated that participants represent their entire nation, not just themselves.

Ireland similarly contended that joining an event featuring Israel clashes with national moral standards.

Boycotting Israel

Over 2,300 years, Europe has sought to eliminate Jewish identity and the notion of Judaism - at times violently, as in the last century, and today through ideological assaults like delegitimizing the Jewish state.

Europe consistently favors targeting Judaism over its own security. Recognizing a Palestinian state, for instance, changed nothing in Israel or the region but bolstered emerging Muslim nationalism in Europe.

Likewise, Spain and Italy ending defense deals with Israel barely affects Israel's economy yet risks European troops' and civilians' safety in potential conflicts.

This Eurovision snub fits the pattern. Broadcasters could have skipped Israel's performance with ads, but chose total blackout, reminiscent of kosher purity rules where a trace of impurity ruins the whole.

Defenders of this state-backed antisemitism blame Israel, not Europe. They claim past tolerance stemmed from Israel's good conduct, but now its Gaza operations, Lebanon incursions, and settlements justify exclusion.

Europe, Not Israel, Has Shifted

Israel's 1978 Eurovision win marked a boost in national morale, fostering belief in European affection. The victorious 'A-Ba-Ni-Bi' celebrated love.

This came post-1967 West Bank and Gaza capture, amid intense Gaza counterterrorism decried globally, just after the anti-PLO Lebanon 'Litani' raid that drew worldwide criticism.

Settlements surged from the mid-1970s, exploding under 1977's right-wing leader Menachem Begin; by 1978, dozens existed.

Next year, Jerusalem hosted Eurovision without European boycotts (Turkey opted out). Europe reaffirmed support, crowning Israel's God-praising 'Hallelujah' winner.

Early 1980s saw full Lebanon invasion to Beirut, booming settlements, and the condemned strike on Iraq's Saddam-built nuclear site.

Arguably, 1980s Israeli moves outpaced 2020s intensity. Europe's response?

1982: Second place for Zionist-celebrating 'Hora.'
1983: Another second for 'Chai,' proclaiming Israel's enduring life.

Twenty nations backed Israel amid its Gaza fights, Lebanon ops, bold strikes, and Judea-Samaria growth.

How? No EU yet to unify anti-Israel narratives, and Wagner's ideas, Nazi-fulfilled last century, faded.

1990's Italian winner hailed EU unity: 'Insieme, unite, unite, Europe.' Post-that, Europe coalesces against Israel - and, per Trump, America.

Amid anti-Jewish fervor, some Europeans urge reversal: Embrace Zionist music - Hallelujah!

The author penned the forthcoming book From Survival to Peace, plus The Assault on Judaism: The Existential Threat is Coming from the West (2024) and Judaism 3.0: Judaism's Transformation to Zionism (2022). He leads the Judaism 3.0 think tank. Geopolitical insights at EuropeAndJerusalem.com.