draig

Monday, 18. May 2009, 16:57

Clare

Monday, 18. May 2009, 08:10

I've never understood why Israel can enter the Eurovision Song Contest anyway. Since when has Israel been in Europe?

It isn't about geography, Eurovision is a child of the European Broadcasting Union.

Basically the EBU is a technical body which was formed in 1950 so precedes and is unrelated to the EEC / EU.

EBU gives a central broadcast mechanism for programme exchanges, gives a single contract bargaining tool for international events such as the Tour de France and it promotes harmony in the technical aspects of broadcasting.

Active Members are public service broadcasters extending all the way to Russia, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East - so that is how Israel get involved.

I think the Vatican State is a member of EBU so they could put in an entry to Eurovision - any suggestions?