Spanish PM Advocates for Israel's Exclusion from Eurovision Amidst Gaza Conflict

Amid rising tensions due to the Gaza conflict, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has proposed that Israel be barred from the Eurovision Song Contest, drawing parallels to Russia's exclusion following its invasion of Ukraine.

The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has stirred international debate by advocating for Israel's exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest, linking it to Israel's military actions in Gaza. He criticized what he termed "double standards" in international cultural events, referencing Russia's ban from Eurovision since 2022 due to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Sánchez highlighted that Israel's recent performance, where it secured second place in the grand final with the song "New Day Will Rise" by Yuval Raphael—earning maximum points from Spanish viewers—contrasts with the widespread condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. “No one raised alarms during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, resulting in its exclusion from international competitions, so Israel should also not participate,” Sánchez declared at a news conference in Madrid.

He reaffirmed Spain's dedication to international law and human rights, expressing solidarity with "the people of Palestine who are experiencing the injustice of war and bombardment." This criticism is consistent with Sánchez's administration's previous stance, as they officially recognized a Palestinian state last year and have been vocal against Israeli policies.

Following Sánchez's remarks, the Israeli minister for diaspora affairs, Amichai Chikli, mocked the Spanish leader on social media, callously suggesting that the Spanish televote for Israel was "a slap in the face" for Sánchez, echoing sentiments heard in Jerusalem. The reaction from the Israeli government was swift, with the foreign ministry summoning the Spanish ambassador to convey its discontent.

Moreover, Spain's national broadcaster RTVE has requested an audit of the voting process, indicating concerns about the integrity of the results following their earlier broadcast of a message supporting Palestinians ahead of the Eurovision final, despite the EBU's warnings to steer clear of references to Gaza. Spain’s own entry, performed by Melody, finished at the bottom of the rankings in 24th place.

This call for Israel's ban raises critical questions about the intersection of politics, culture, and international relations in the arts, especially in light of ongoing conflicts worldwide.