Eurovision 2025 Winner JJ Backtracks: “My Words About Israel Were Misunderstood”

Eurovision 2025 Winner JJ Backtracks: “My Words About Israel Were Misunderstood”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria at Eurovision 2025: Just after the Eurovision winner harshly criticized Israel’s participation, he backtracks amid backlash, while the Austrian national broadcaster withdraws its support for him. Singer JJ, winner of Eurovision 2025 representing Austria with the song “Wasted Love,” chose to criticize and accuse Israel - the country that received the viewers’ support for the second consecutive year. In a particularly charged interview with the Spanish newspaper “El País”, known for its distinctly anti-Israel columns, the singer did not hold back his strong opinions regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision, sparking a new storm across Europe and among fans of the competition. According to him: “It is very disappointing that Israel is still participating in the contest. I hope next year it will be held in Vienna - and without Israel”. Now, JJ has decided to backtrack after facing harsh reactions. While he does not retract his stance on Israel’s participation in Eurovision, he clarifies: “I am sorry my words were misunderstood. Although...
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KAN: ‘Any Allegation Against Israel Is Unfounded and Inconsistent With the Facts!’

KAN: ‘Any Allegation Against Israel Is Unfounded and Inconsistent With the Facts!’

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Israeli broadcaster addresses accusations, stating: "The public has spoken—Israel rightfully placed second." This response follows European skepticism regarding the legitimacy of the public vote in Eurovision 2025, which awarded Israel second place overall.  In the days following the Eurovision final, numerous European countries have expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the public vote that awarded Israel first place in the televote and second place overall in the competition. National broadcasters from Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Iceland, and Slovenia have called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to investigate the public voting process that led to Israel’s victory in the televote. Finland’s representative argued that Israel’s vote mobilization was unfair. Meanwhile, the Austrian Eurovision winner, Croatia’s representative, and even Spain’s Prime Minister have called for Israel’s disqualification from the contest. The EBU has already clarified: “There is no evidence of any rule violation. An independent verification system checks both jury and public votes to ensure valid...
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Eurovision 2025 Winner: “I Hope Next Year’s Contest Takes Place in Vienna – Without Israel”

Eurovision 2025 Winner: “I Hope Next Year’s Contest Takes Place in Vienna – Without Israel”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria’s Eurovision 2025 winner sparked controversy by calling to ban Israel from the contest. Is this a legitimate stance or just calculated provocation? JJ, Austria’s representative and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Wasted Love”, launched an unexpected attack on Israel, which once again secured the top spot in the public vote. But with JJ himself only placing fourth in that same vote, one must ask: is this a valid critique, or simply the arrogance of an artist unwilling to accept the people's verdict? In an interview with the Spanish newspaper "El País", JJ voiced strong opinions against Israel’s continued participation in the contest, sparking widespread outrage across Europe and among Eurovision fans. “It’s very disappointing that Israel is still taking part in the contest. I hope next year it takes place in Vienna – and without Israel”, He said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Victory Through Jury Votes – and Immediate Accusations Following...
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Greece Plans a Revolution: Will “Ethnikos Telikos 2026” Return in an Expanded Format?

Greece Plans a Revolution: Will “Ethnikos Telikos 2026” Return in an Expanded Format?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greece at Eurovision 2025: The Greek national broadcaster ERT is considering more than a single final - will Greece revive its 2004 format, and will we soon see a national selection similar to Sweden’s Melodifestivalen? Reports from Greece indicate a strategic shift that could transform the country’s approach to Eurovision. According to local media, the Greek national broadcaster, ERT, is exploring the possibility of expanding the selection process for Greece’s 2026 Eurovision entry. Instead of a single final night as held in 2025, the broadcaster is considering a longer competition, featuring several semi-final shows over multiple weeks. These developments come in the wake of Greece’s surprising success in the most recent contest, where the country finished sixth in the grand final with 231 points. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Aiming for a Lasting Entertainment Brand The main goal behind this move is to turn the selection process into a true entertainment brand - one that...
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Will Luxembourg Remain in Eurovision 2026? The Decision Rests with the Government

Will Luxembourg Remain in Eurovision 2026? The Decision Rests with the Government

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Luxembourg at Eurovision 2025: The government is delaying its decision - has the mediocre result led Luxembourg to consider another withdrawal from Eurovision? Luxembourg, whם only returned to the Eurovision Song Contest last year after a prolonged 31-year absence, now finds itself at another crossroads. The country’s national broadcaster, RTL, has announced that no decision has yet been made regarding Luxembourg’s participation in the 70th edition of the contest, set for 2026. The matter currently hinges on ongoing discussions with the local government. In a statement released by the national broadcaster, it was said: “No decision has yet been made regarding our participation in Eurovision 2026. Talks are currently underway with the Luxembourg government, which funds the project, and a final decision is expected in the coming weeks”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Disappointing Result in Basel: Will It Affect Future Participation? Luxembourg took part in this year’s Eurovision, held in Basel, Switzerland, represented by Laura Thorn with the song “La poupée...
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Basel Reveals Eurovision 2025 Figures: “Fulfilling Our Wildest Dreams”

Basel Reveals Eurovision 2025 Figures: “Fulfilling Our Wildest Dreams”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2025 viewership figures revealed: dozens of protests, hundreds of thousands of visitors - this is how the festivities looked in Switzerland. Was this the most successful year in contest history? The city of Basel and the Swiss national broadcaster, SRG SSR, have published a summary of the activities surrounding Eurovision 2025, and the numbers are remarkable: over 500,000 people participated in satellite events and public screenings, around 100,000 visited the main show venues, and 170 million people watched the contest worldwide. Local authorities and the national broadcaster are calling the project a complete success - culturally, in terms of tourism, and for public safety. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “We Fulfilled a Dream - And in a Big Way” The President of the Basel Cantonal Government, Conradin Cramer, proudly presented the figures and said: “These are numbers we could only dream of. Our expectations were fully met. My wildest dreams have come true”. During the week, approximately 100,000 people attended the main...
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Actual Results vs. Betting Odds – How Countries Surprised the Bookmakers at Eurovision 2025

Actual Results vs. Betting Odds – How Countries Surprised the Bookmakers at Eurovision 2025

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2025 betting: Expectations vs. reality - how the betting odds were upended on the night. Here’s how the table shocked Europe and what happened to the favorites. As in every year, Eurovision 2025 was surrounded by anticipation regarding the betting odds - especially those updated on the eve of the grand final, which aggregated all major bookmakers’ predictions. Despite meticulous forecasts, the final delivered some resounding surprises, both positive and negative. The gaps between the latest betting rankings and the actual results reveal much about the contest’s dynamics and the reactions of both the audience and the juries. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What Happened to the Favorites? The only country to meet expectations perfectly was Austria, which was ranked second in the odds and went on to win first place - the bet paid off. In contrast, Israel, with its representative Yuval Raphael, was ranked seventh in the odds but soared to second place in the final results...
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American Famous Producer on Eurovision: “Being Number One By The Public is The Most Important Thing”

American Famous Producer on Eurovision: “Being Number One By The Public is The Most Important Thing”

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Scooter Braun, the producer behind some of the world’s biggest artists, defends Yuval Raphael and Israel’s second-place finish at Eurovision 2025, emphasizing the significance of the public vote. The controversy surrounding the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final and Israel’s second-place finish continues to make headlines. While countries such as Spain and Belgium question the results, and representatives claim that Israel "engineered votes," one highly successful producer is unafraid to voice his support for Israel. Scooter Braun, the producer behind the careers of Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Kanye West, and others, has spoken out against critics of Yuval Raphael and explained why she received such overwhelming support from the public vote. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   "The public spoke, and you should’ve listened to them." Braun declared in a video posted on social media. "There are people having an issue with this young woman, Yuval, taking second place at Eurovision.. She was number one in the public vote...
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“My Role Ends Next Spring”: Eurovision Supervisor Makes Dramatic Statement Amid Legal Dispute

“My Role Ends Next Spring”: Eurovision Supervisor Makes Dramatic Statement Amid Legal Dispute

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Drama at the European Broadcasting Union: In a surprising legal hearing, Eurovision’s chief supervisor reveals his end date. What prompted Martin Österdahl’s announcement and what lies behind this unexpected statement? Photo: Sören Vilks Amid ongoing political disputes, public criticism, and media controversies surrounding the management of the Eurovision Song Contest, a personal front in the life of Martin Österdahl, the contest’s chief supervisor, was revealed this week. In the midst of a legal battle over his private apartment in Stockholm, the high-ranking Eurovision official made a rare statement: “My work with Eurovision will end next spring, and then I plan to return to live in Sweden.” This declaration, made during a hearing at the Rent Tribunal, comes in the context of a widely publicized legal dispute regarding his Stockholm apartment—a conflict that concluded this week with a decisive ruling requiring Österdahl to vacate the property permanently. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Luxury Apartment, Unusual Contract, and an Unkept Promise The story began years ago,...
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Germany Threatens: “If Israel Is Removed from Eurovision – We Will Withdraw from the Contest”

Germany Threatens: “If Israel Is Removed from Eurovision – We Will Withdraw from the Contest”

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany in Eurovision 2025: Amid growing controversy, Germany reportedly threatened to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel was excluded. What led Germany to make this ultimatum to ensure Israel’s participation? As the debate over Israel’s participation in Eurovision intensifies, a Turkish news site reports that one of the main reasons Israel was allowed to compete in Eurovision 2025—despite numerous calls for its removal—was a threat from Germany to withdraw if the demand was accepted. This claim comes from Dr. Martin Gak, a veteran German journalist with a clear anti-Israel stance, who cites a source within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Threat That Saved Israel’s Spot? According to Dr. Gak, the factor that prevented Israel’s removal from Eurovision, despite mounting pressure across Europe due to the war in Gaza, was a direct ultimatum from the German national broadcaster. The cited source stated: “If Israel is removed – we will also withdraw.” Dr. Gak explained: “Germany is a very...
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