Critiquing the National Brand
When thinking of Europe, Israel is not the first country that comes to mind. Israel is a Middle Eastern country surrounded by Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea, so it might be surprising to find Israel on the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest. Israel is a member of the European Broadcasting Union which allows them to participate in Eurovision. At Eurovision, Israel gets to show off their music, culture, and national brand. This is a good way for Israel to get visibility and tell people about their country. However, to what extent is the reality of what it is like in Israel being presented? Eurovision allows countries to show a certain side through including, or excluding, certain elements and groups of people in their performances. From 2009 to 2011 three performances by Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest allowed the country to show an element of diversity. The 2009 song “There Must Be Another Way” was performed by two women one of whom is Israeli-Palestinian, th...