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    Eurovision as Radical Protest

    Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:47 PM | By Hanna Rosin
    Whoever thought the shiny, cheesy Eurovision Song Contest could become the site of radical protest? The Israeli singer Noa, who interests me less for her droopy ballads than because she shares my daughter's name—has decided to use that stage to make a diplomatic point. For years she has collaborated with an Israeli Arab singer, Mira Awad. Now she is insisting Awad share the stage with her in representing Israel, and everyone is up in arms. The right, expectedly. But even the left is now on her case, complaining that she's putting a shiny face on the war in Gaza. What's impressive about Noa's request is the smallness of it. This is the musical equivalent of Hillary's recent creative diplomacy in China—a tiny act of connection that makes its point gently. What's even more impressive is that it comes at a time when the left in Israel has long given up and grown entirely cynical about the possibility of co-existence. So let's all support Noa by joining hands and singing ... Abba?    
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