Who is new Eurovision director Martin Green and what has he said about the Israel protests?
Martin Green is the Eurovision Song Contest’s Managing Director. (James Stack/BBC)
Martin Green is the Eurovision Song Contest's Managing Director. (James Stack/BBC)
You may recognise the name Martin Green, the newly appointed Managing Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, but who is the man behind the competition, and how is he dealing with the protests against Israel?
We’re counting down the days until Eurovision 2025, but for Martin Green, the pressure is on as this is his first Eurovision as Managing Director, a role that has him overseeing all aspects of the show.
Ahead of the 2025 Eurovision contest – taking place in Basel, Switzerland – many are raising questions about the participation of Israel in light of the ongoing war in Gaza, with Israel’s entrant recently met with protests as she walked the turquoise carpet on the first day of the international contest.
Who is Martin Green?
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) appointed Green to the position of Eurovision Director last October.
Speaking about his Eurovision appointment last year, Green shared: “The Eurovision Song Contest captures the imaginations of people across generations, countries and cultures. It remains a beacon of joy, artistry and diversity – and a testament to the inclusive power of public service broadcasting.
“Being asked to lead the event is a dream come true and I look forward to working with everyone involved to take the project and the brand into an exciting future.”
Previously, Green was the Head of Ceremonies at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In 2017, he was made a CBE in 2017 UK Queen’s New Year Honours List and then he became the Chief Creative Officer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
What does Martin Green do as Eurovision Director?
Green’s position was announced with the note that his role would oversee the work of Eurovision’s Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl.
Green’s overview role also seems to be more focused on the show itself, working with Österdahl to deliver a great show and foster delegation relationships.
The EBU’s statement read: “We have created a new role of ESC Director, which will report to the EBU Deputy Director General and Media Director.
“This will streamline the Executive Supervisor’s responsibilities to focus on ESC production, Heads of Delegations and Member relationship building, and day-to-day production issues.
“The ESC Director will oversee the work of the existing Executive Supervisor and a new role entitled Head of ESC Brand and Commercial.”
Jean Philip De Tender, the EBU’s Director of Media and Deputy Director-General, added: “The creation of this senior role and Martin’s appointment reflect how we’re building on the history and the strengths of a unique platform that celebrates the power of music to bring people together.”
Eurovision’s Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl, who reports to Martin Green, was booed on stage last year amid what was described as an unusually “hostile” atmosphere at the competition’s Grand Final.
What has Martin Green said about Eurovision’s politics?
One of the most controversial ongoing aspects of Eurovision is Israel’s participation, a decision both fans and contestants have protested.
The protest urged the EBU to ban Israel’s national broadcaster, KAN, and the country’s contestant, Yuval Raphael. This protest is a continuation of last year’s, which led to the 2024 song contest being branded “one of the most politicised” in history.
Eurovision’s official stance is that it is a non-political event. However, this is somewhat clouded by geopolitical drama, including in 2022, when Russia was banned for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Eurovision bosses reacted by banning Russia from the contest. Many people now want them to do the same to Israel.
This year, Switzerland has banned artists from taking Pride flags on stage and has allowed only national flags in official areas.
Performances are also forbidden from including messages, speeches, gestures, symbols or slogans of a political nature. However, it’s expected that some will defy this code of conduct.
After pro-Palestinian protests occurred in Basel, Green stated on the Eurotrip Podcast that they were conducted “peacefully” and “respectfully.”
He continued: “It’s a free country and a democracy, and everybody has a right to their opinion… The people that were out there today did it peacefully and respectfully… They have every right to do that.”
His statement comes after Israel’s broadcaster filed a complaint with the Swiss Police after a pro-Palestinian protester made a throat-slitting gesture towards Raphael.
Also speaking to Metro, Green noted that: “Everything takes place in the context of a wider world, and we’re not immune to that.”
The 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will be held on 13-17 May 2025.
The live shows will be on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 13, Thursday 15, and Saturday 17 May from 8pm in the UK. In the US, you can watch the contest on Peacock.
Read more of our Eurovision 2025 coverage here.
