by Aviad Berger Comment Closed




Israel at Eurovision 2025: The public has spoken, but Spain demands an investigation. Why is the Spanish national broadcaster seeking to review the Spanish audience’s vote in Eurovision 2025?

A storm is brewing in Spain following the overwhelming support received by Yuval Raphael, Israel’s representative at Eurovision 2025, from Spanish viewers. Despite the Spanish jury awarding Israel zero points, the Spanish public voted differently: 12 points-the maximum score-were given to Israel via the public vote. Now, the Spanish national broadcaster, RTVE, is demanding a comprehensive review of the voting process, effectively challenging its validity.




142,000 Voters-But RTVE Rejects the Result

The Spanish national broadcaster received only preliminary data from the European Broadcasting Union regarding the Spanish vote, indicating that 142,688 public votes were cast in the grand final. According to the report, votes were submitted via 7,283 phone calls, 23,840 SMS messages, and 111,565 online votes through the official app. As a reminder, voting incurs a fee of €0.99 per vote, with up to 20 votes allowed per person.

Public Support, Jury Ignored-Israel Finishes Second

The gap between the jury vote and the public vote raises many questions. While the Spanish jury gave Israel and the song “New Day Will Rise” zero points, the Spanish public awarded the full 12 points. In other words, there is a stark contrast between the professionals’ decision and the will of the masses-a phenomenon not uncommon at Eurovision, but now drawing significant political and media attention.

The Spanish national broadcaster claims it is not alone in its demand: according to sources within the Spanish broadcasting team, other countries are also considering similar reviews of voting results.




Israeli Diplomat Admits: We Encouraged the Public to Vote for Israel

The Spanish newspaper El País quotes David Saranga, head of public diplomacy at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who told Ynet last year: “We worked among audiences supporting Israel to encourage voting.” These are targeted campaigns, sometimes backed by right-wing parties in various countries.

These campaigns have proven effective: in 2024, Israel also received 12 points from the Spanish public. In 2025, although Israel accumulated fewer total points (297 compared to 323 last year), it was the country that received the most support from the European public.

Diplomatic Battle: Israeli Minister Responds to Spaniards-“The Slap Was Heard in Jerusalem”

A diplomatic dimension has been added to the affair after Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, posted a message on X addressed directly to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez:

Sánchez, it seems the Spanish people have spoken-and the slap was heard here in Jerusalem.

The message, written in Spanish, included an image showing the 12 points awarded to Israel by the Spanish public. This statement continues the ongoing confrontation between Chikli and Sánchez, after the latter called for recognition of a Palestinian state. As early as last March, Chikli accused Sánchez of antisemitism and declared: “I want no connection with Sánchez, I do not respect him.”




Criticism Within Spain: Madrid Region Leader Attacks National Broadcaster

Even within Spain, there are those who support Israel and criticize the conduct of the national broadcaster. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, attacked the broadcaster for “embarrassing politicization” of Eurovision: “RTVE in this final is the most political station, the most controlled by the government. This is a sign of weakness, degeneration, and regime,” she wrote on social media.

According to her, those who shout against Israel remain silent in the face of terror, torture, and executions in Muslim countries. Thus, instead of focusing on a musical event, Eurovision has become an ideological battleground.

Millions of Viewers-And One Clear Message: Israel Is Not Alone

Despite everything, nearly six million viewers watched the Eurovision final in Spain-an increase of 8.3 rating points from last year. Even if the Spanish national broadcaster struggles to accept the data, the public has spoken clearly. The immense support for Yuval Raphael reflects an authentic and independent desire-one that chose to ignore politics and listen only to the song.




Israel at Eurovision 2025

“New Day Will Rise” is the name of the song to be performed by Yuval Raphael, who secured second place in the grand final of Eurovision 2025, held on May 17 in Basel, Switzerland. The song was written by Keren Peles, who also wrote “Hurricane,” Israel’s entry for Eurovision 2024, and it was performed in English, French, and Hebrew.

“New Day Will Rise” touches on one of the most universal and profound themes-the life-giving power of love and hope. The lyrics address coping with loss, separation, and pain, but also the possibility of overcoming and renewal. The song conveys the belief that every ending is also a new beginning, that pain will pass, and that love will remain with us.

Eurovision 2025: This was Israel’s 47th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the competition in 1973 and has won it four times over the years. Israel’s last victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy” performed by singer Netta Barzilai.