From a 2021 interview with Bashar, where he explains some of the choices behind his music video for Maskhara:
[...] Meanwhile, the coffee cup reading is a metaphor of family expectations, and the pink outfits, the pink lighting and filters, and pink roses stuffed into a military tank are a nod to pinkwashing – the promotion of the queer-friendliness of a political entity to distract from human rights abuses.
As a gay Palestinian himself, the latter hits close to home. In 2019, Bashar attracted global headlines through his involvement in Globalvision, an alternative concert that was livestreamed simultaneously with Eurovision in Tel Aviv – which had been plagued with pinkwashing controversy.
"We didn't get the same number of viewers as Eurovision, but it still felt like we were doing something important," Bashar recalls.
"Eurovision is a very queer event. It's also a musical event, so it was not just pinkwashing, it was also artwashing. As a gay artist, it was so important for me to make a statement.
"They were also emphasising the fact that Eurovision is not political when it's the epitome of politics. It's different countries voting for and against each other and flags being waved everywhere.
"But when it comes to Palestine and our voices, we were shut down. We were told that no, this is not a political event, this is a party and this is a happy event."
Bashar Murad in Klefi/Samed by Hatari ft. Bashar Murad because queer Palestinians exist and we shouldn't forget them
And after all this torture
I am steadfast, I won't bow down
I am steadfast, I won't bow down
I've started and I won't finish
I am staying and I won't just disappear
I am worthy, I won't be erased
I am worthy, I won't be erased
I am steadfast and won't bow down
I am steadfast and won't bow down
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i thought of this photo and the fact that hatari got reprimanded for it every time someone on the jury sent their heart out to ukraine and then gave 12 points to israel.
i know a lot of people on this site don't watch eurovision so boycotting it is easy, but there's something so depressing about like. going back to previous years events and seeing the feeling of international collaboration and love that comes with the contest. and being very aware that the positivity only extends as far as the organisers are comfortable with. idk. it's like going to a pride parade as an adult and realising most the companies sponsoring it don't give a shit about trans people when they're not profitable. it makes you feel very jaded about something you used to be so excited for. it sucks.