They removed Russia not because of the war, but because many other countries complained due to its presence, and as a result, Russia put the contest into disrepute, forcing it out the contest.
They removed Belarus a year earlier because they couldn’t submit a song that wasn’t too political. They were originally suspended for 3 years, but it was extended because… idk they could just do this all over again.
And then after the… thing that is happening between Palestine and Israel, a thing that involves genocide, the EBU not only refuses to kick out Israel despite other countries and even contestants complaining about its presence (Iceland especially), causing disrepute, but Israel also did send a too political entry and refused to modify it, meaning they were likely to be kicked out… until Isaac Herzog got involved, and basically forced Israel to stay. And now Eurovision fans including myself are complaining about it, and the EBU simply doesn’t give a shit.
I will still watch Eurovision this year, but I will not under any circumstance support the absolute cheapness that is the Israeli entry, by basically not spending my money on voting, or merchandise, and by turning off my telly as soon as they show up (basically bumping down the audience retention graph, whatever the hell that thing is), despite the detriment on the other countries that genuinely sent some cool stuff and that I would like to vote for (Croatia, Switzerland, and Belgium sent some absolute bangers this year, while Norway continues to wow me). The same will apply to Azerbaijan, not only due to their own genocide against Armenians, but also due to their history of… basically cheating in Eurovision. My enjoyment of the contest is essentially ruined due to the actions of two participating countries that are basically just tumors.
And assuming either of these two countries stay in Eurovision next year, I will continue to speak up against their inclusion, and convince the EBU that the disrepute Israel has caused, and the fraud that Azerbaijan has committed, simply has no place in this fun contest that is about uniting people with the power of music. They’ve ruined Eurovision.
And about the flag thing, yes, I know all flags are banned outside those of the participants and pride flags, but seriously you guys? The flags of the tumors are still allowed? No, thanks. And it’s not like you guys are enforcing this rule anyway, I’ve seen a Brazilian flag, I’ve seen an Ecuadorian flag, and I think I even recall seeing a Turkish flag. Yeah, way to be unfair, y’all.
TL;DR to keep things fair, and to prevent further disrepute (I’ve used that word like 3 or 4 times in total), Israel and Azerbaijan need to be banned from the contest just as how Belarus and Russia got banned.