While Eurovision 2025 season has proceeded without significant incidents regarding Israel’s participation, the situation is changing as Spain contemplates demanding Israel’s disqualification from the competition.

The president of Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, José Pablo López, has announced that he will raise the demand to disqualify Israel from Eurovision 2025 in the next board meeting of the local broadcaster. López made this statement on Tuesday when questioned in a parliamentary oversight committee about actions to be taken following “civil society’s request” to demand Israel‘s disqualification from Eurovision 2025 from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The question was posed by local parliament member Francisco Sierra of the left-wing party “Sumar”. López argues that it is crucial for the corporation’s board to adopt a unified stance on Israel’s participation in the contest and, if deemed appropriate, issue a public statement on the matter.

López added that the Israeli broadcaster ‘Kan’ is close to ceasing to be public, as Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has begun procedures to privatize it. If this process materializes, it is likely to leave the EBU.

Criticism and Political Pressure

Sierra criticized the Israeli broadcaster ‘Kan’, claiming it “applauds and praises the Israeli army and ethnic cleansing”. The parliament member demanded that the Spanish broadcaster take “formal protest” calling for Israel’s disqualification. Sierra also criticized the fact that “this year Israel is bringing a survivor of October 7th”, which he believes is a way to “abuse” the Eurovision contest.

Slovenia Demanded Israel’s Disqualification

In December 2024, we reported that the Slovenian television network, RTVSLO, held a discussion on the topic of Israel’s disqualification from the Eurovision contest. In Slovenia, a decision was made to initiate a demand from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to disqualify Israel from the competition. However, no operational decision was made on whether Slovenia would withdraw or blackout the screen during Israel’s performance, contrary to the competition rules. In Slovenia, they decided to demand Israel’s disqualification and “to update on these efforts” later.

European Broadcasting Union’s Response

The European Broadcasting Union has not yet responded to demands to disqualify Israel from the competition. In December 2024, the Union published a list of 38 countries that will participate in the upcoming competition, including Israel. The Union emphasized its commitment to maintain the competition as a musical event without political influences, “Our goal is to provide a positive experience for all participants” was written in an official statement. Although Spain is considered a “Big 5” country and a major funder of the competition, the assessment is that the EBU will not disqualify Israel from the competition, unless Spain threatens to withdraw in case of Israeli participation.

Yuval Raphael – Who are you?

Yuval, 24, from Ra’anana, lived in Geneva, Switzerland, during her childhood. She disclosed that she escaped from a Hamas terror attack on October 7th, during which grenades were thrown and shots were fired at a party. Many around her were killed, and she had to pretend to be dead to survive. What strengthens Yuval is music and advocacy for Israel. She has spoken in front of world leaders, met influential people, and even spoke at a Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. She has become a focal point for international advocacy, presenting the true face of Israel and correcting the false image portrayed in the global arena. Her insistence on presenting the truth has made her a central and influential figure in both Israeli and global culture.

Yuval has never sung professionally and only started performing in front of audiences in recent months. The echoes of her performances quickly spread on social media, garnering warm praise and responses from viewers.

Yuval won first place in the TV show “HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2025” after being chosen by the panel of judges and the home audience. She will represent Israel in Eurovision 2025, to be held in Basel on May 13, 15, and 17, in hopes of bringing Israel its fifth win in the competition.

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