Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has proposed that Israel should be banned from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest due to its military actions in Gaza. This statement comes following Israel's commendable performance, where its representative, Yuval Raphael, secured second place in the contest held in Switzerland over the weekend.
Sánchez emphasized the necessity of avoiding "double standards" in cultural participation, drawing comparisons to Russia's exclusion from the contest after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He stated at a news conference in Madrid, "If Russia cannot participate in international competitions due to its actions, then Israel should not be allowed either."
Despite receiving criticism, particularly from Israeli officials, who tweeted that Spanish votes represented a "slap in the face" to Sánchez's government, the Prime Minister stood firm in his convictions. He expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, emphasizing Spain’s consistent commitment to international law.
Sánchez’s administration has been vocally critical of Israel, having recognized the state of Palestine officially last year, a stance underscored by his recent comments labeling Israel as a "genocidal state." His remarks elicited a formal reprimand from Israel's foreign ministry, indicating the escalating diplomatic tensions.
Interestingly, while Spain awarded Israel the maximum 12 points in the public voting segment, their own entry, "Esa Diva" by Melody, ended in 24th place. Following the contest, Spain's national broadcaster RTVE requested an audit of the voting process.
In the lead-up to the event, RTVE also aired a message supporting Palestine, despite guidance from the European Broadcasting Union to refrain from references to Gaza. As the Eurovision Song Contest continues to attract global attention, the political implications surrounding countries' participation remain a contentious issue.
