Dinis Mota draws a line and says he will not attend Eurovision if Israel remains

Dinis Mota has put his cards on the table. If Israel stays in the competition, he will not go to Eurovision — even if he wins Portugal’s national final.

The Portuguese artist confirmed his decision in a statement shared with the cultural outlet Comunidade Cultura e Arte, making it clear that this is not a negotiating position, nor a dramatic threat. It is, quite simply, a red line.

In his words, as a citizen, musician and human being, he cannot “stand on the side of an aggressor”, openly rejecting violence, humiliation and the subjugation of others. It is a personal stance, framed in moral rather than competitive terms.

Mota, the first artist from Aveiro to reach Festival da Canção since 2021, admits that representing Portugal at Eurovision has always been a dream. But, as he stresses, not at any cost.

“Never under these circumstances,” he writes. “Not as a winner, not as second, not as third.”

Gratitude without compromise

The musician takes care to thank RTP for the opportunity to compete and for the support he has received throughout the selection process. There is no bitterness in that part of the statement. But there is also no ambiguity.

Gratitude, for Mota, does not mean compliance. Even if selected, he says he would step aside if Israel’s participation remains unchanged.

He also explains why he did not immediately sign a joint declaration by Portuguese artists. According to him, it was not disagreement, but the belief that music should be used as an active tool for peace and dialogue, something that requires reflection rather than instant positioning.

Beyond refusal: a different proposal

What sets Mota’s statement apart is that it does not end with a no.

Instead, he puts forward an alternative idea: organising an international concert in Austria around the time of Eurovision, bringing together artists who share similar concerns. The aim would be to create a collective moment outside the competition, with all proceeds directed towards humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.

He directly addresses fellow musicians from Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Ireland and Iceland, inviting them to take part in what he frames as an action that goes beyond votes, rankings and television exposure.

“The world needs music,” he writes. “And sometimes it needs it elsewhere.”

What this means

Dinis Mota’s position adds to a growing list of artists who are no longer content to keep politics and Eurovision neatly separated. Whether his proposal gains traction or not, his message is clear: participation is not automatic, and silence is not neutral.

For Eurovision, and for national broadcasters, this is another reminder that the contest no longer exists in a vacuum. Artists are watching, choosing, and, in some cases, stepping back — even when the biggest stage is within reach.

And that, quietly, may be the most telling part of all.

Source: Comunidade Cultura e Arte