Spain’s national public broadcaster, RTVE, has formally requested the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to initiate a discussion regarding Israel’s participation in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, which is set to take place in May in Basel, Switzerland. The request, sent to the EBU’s Director General, Noel Curran, highlights widespread concern in Spain about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
RTVE’s head, José Pablo López, emphasized that the request is not solely a political matter but reflects the concerns voiced by many in Spain from various sectors of society. He stated, "RTVE conveys to the EBU its commitment to the festival, but also recognizes the concerns raised by various civil society groups in Spain regarding the situation in Gaza and the participation of the public television KAN in the contest." This sentiment echoes previous criticisms from Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun, who has expressed dissatisfaction with Eurovision’s handling of political issues, particularly following last year’s contest in Malmö, Sweden.
Earlier this year, a left-wing political party in Spain presented RTVE with a petition urging the EBU to exclude Israel from the competition, citing the war in Gaza as a key reason. The EBU has responded to RTVE’s request by reaffirming that all members of the European Broadcasting Union are eligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, indicating that it is in constant contact with RTVE and other member broadcasters regarding the contest.
Amid these discussions, Israel is still scheduled to compete in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, with Yuval Rafael representing the country. Rafael, a 24-year-old survivor of the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, will perform her entry titled "New Day Will Rise," which was written by Keren Peles. The lyrics allude to the ongoing conflict, stating, "A new day will dawn, life will go on. The darkness will fade, all the pain will pass, but we will stay." Rafael will compete in the second semi-final on May 15, and her song is currently ranked fourth in the betting odds.
In contrast, Spain’s entry, "Esa Diva" by Melody, automatically qualifies for the final as part of the “Big Five” countries but is currently ranked 28th in the odds. The contrasting fortunes of the two entries highlight the competitive nature of the event, as well as the differing public sentiments surrounding them.
Damiano David, who won Eurovision in 2021, weighed in on the situation, stating that the matter is "complicated" and depends on the artist’s involvement in politics. He noted, "If an artist is very politically involved, that's one thing. If someone is just trying to sing and perform, that's another. I don’t think music should be influenced by politics." With rehearsals approaching, many believe it is unlikely that the EBU will take the dramatic step of banning Israel from the contest.
Last year, Israeli competitor Eden Golan represented the country at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, performing her song "Hurricane" amid controversy surrounding the Gaza conflict. Golan secured fifth place with 52 points from the jury and 323 from televoting, but her performance drew mixed reactions, including both applause and booing. Due to serious threats against the Israeli delegation, there was heightened security for Golan, with former Shin Bet Head Ronen Bar overseeing the arrangements and 100 Swedish police officers deployed for protection. Golan and her team were advised to remain in their hotel rooms when not performing.
As the Eurovision Song Contest approaches, the debate surrounding Israel's participation continues to intensify. RTVE’s call for discussion reflects not only the sentiments of the Spanish public but also the broader context of international relations and cultural representation in global events. Spain has been one of the more vocal European countries criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza, especially in light of the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of 251 individuals.
Furthermore, the ongoing conflict has led to over 50,000 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. This backdrop complicates the cultural celebration that Eurovision represents, as it intertwines with political realities and public sentiments. Thousands protested at last year’s contest in Malmö over Israel’s participation, demonstrating the charged atmosphere surrounding the event.
In recent weeks, Finland’s public broadcaster Yle received two petitions demanding it push for Israel to be banned from the contest due to the ongoing war in Gaza. One petition was signed by over 500 music and culture industry professionals, while the other garnered more than 10,000 public signatures. These developments indicate a growing movement among artists and the public to hold cultural events accountable for their participation amid geopolitical conflicts.
Israel has a storied history in the Eurovision Song Contest, having won the competition four times, most recently in Lisbon in 2018. However, the current political climate poses significant challenges for its representatives, as they navigate both the expectations of their performance and the realities of international scrutiny.
As the EBU prepares for the upcoming contest, the question remains: how will the ongoing conflict in Gaza shape the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025? The event, which is one of the world’s largest live television broadcasts, will take place at the St. Jakobshalle indoor arena in Basel, with semi-finals on May 13 and 15, and the grand final on May 17. The outcome of these discussions may set a precedent for future contests and their intersection with global issues.
