Recommendations of the Editorial team
The reports from the political department find their echo in the entertainment area with growing dynamics. “Israel loses its supporters in Europe” is said from politics to the country’s new waves of attack in the Gaza strip.
Even in the pop segment, more countries are calling for a (preliminary) exclusion of Israel from the EBU/Eurovision, which as a transmitter roof organization organizes the singing competition ESC. Most recently, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had spoken out to banish Israel from the organization.
The broadcasting people are primarily concerned with checking the points of points at Wettsingen in Basel. As is well known, Yuval Raphael from Israel had received the most public votes (297) for her song “New Day Will Rise” and an additional 60 points from the juries. Second place with a total of 357 points.
“Breakdown of the tuning figures”
Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain were among the countries whose viewers of Israel gave the highs of 12, while Ireland and Finland distributed 10 points each. Apparently regardless of the constant conflict of the country with Palestine, which had just led to massive solo campaigns for people in Gaza in Ireland.
The national broadcasters of Spain and Belgium complained to EBU. You are calling for an examination of the televoting system. Fans can coordinate up to 20 times by phone, SMS or app. Ireland’s National broadcaster RTE also recently demanded “breakdown of the voting figures” from the voting provider Once.
A fundamental declaration comes from the Dutch public law Avrotros and NPO. The European Association Association is “increasingly influenced by social and geopolitical tensions,” it says. The participation of Israel “raises the question of whether the Eurovision really works as an apolitical, connecting and cultural event.”
A lot of steam on the boiler
Rté had previously explicitly asked the Eurovision about a discussion about the participation of Israel. The Slovenian broadcaster RTV Slo also called for an Israel spell that the Icelandic Foreign Minister called it “strange” that the country could continue to participate in the competition.
Statements of high-ranking politicians mix with organizational and fundamental questions from the broadcasters, which all revolve around “Israel”. ESC “Executive Superviser” Martin Green said in a first technocratic statement: “EBU is an association of public service broadcasters, not of governments. We are in constant contact with all participating ESC channels, including RTVE in Spain, and take their concerns seriously.”
And further: “Where the ESC 2025 has now ended, we will have a comprehensive discussion with all institutions to reflect on all aspects of this year’s event as part of our planning process for the 70th ESC next year and to receive feedback.
So a lot of steam on the boiler.
There are also statements from the artist camp that seem to follow a little original herd instinct. According to ESC 2024 winner Nemo, ESC 2025 winner Johannes Pietsch alias JJ has also campaigned for Israel’s exclusion. “It is very disappointing that Israel still takes part in the competition,” he quoted the Spanish daily “El País”.
“I would like the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna next year, without Israel. But the ball is now with the Ibu. We artists can only comment on it.”