Is Israel facing disqualification from Eurovision? A decisive debate on Israel’s future in the contest will be held July 3rd-4th at the EBU general assembly.
Is Israel on the Brink of Eurovision Disqualification? Eurovision 2025, initially planned as a celebration of music and unity, has become a stage for intense political drama amid mounting calls for Israel’s disqualification. Just days before the EBU convenes for a pivotal discussion, the CEO of the Icelandic national broadcaster, Stefán Eiríksson, revealed that Israel’s potential exclusion will be formally addressed at the upcoming EBU general assembly. In Ireland, it was also hinted as early as May that the EBU had promised to discuss Israel’s removal after the last contest concluded.
The general assembly is set to take place in London on July 3rd and 4th.
Public Vote Victory: Grounds for Disqualification?
Following Israel’s impressive win in the public vote at the most recent Eurovision, open disappointment was expressed in several European countries, particularly those already advocating for Israel’s exclusion. Slovenia, for example, officially petitioned the EBU to disqualify Israel from Eurovision 2025, citing moral grounds given the current political climate. Similar sentiments were echoed in Iceland and Ireland, and Israel’s broad public support only intensified pressure on national broadcasters across Europe. On social media, fans from these countries did not hide their frustration over Israel’s popularity, emphasizing that, in their view, Eurovision cannot remain indifferent to political issues – even if the public votes otherwise.
Spain and Belgium also stood out among the nations calling for Israel’s removal, having voiced strong criticism during the contest’s broadcasts. In Spain, the national broadcaster aired clear pro-Palestinian messages and even called for “peace and justice for Palestine” during the live show, while in Belgium, a broadcast slide read: “We condemn the human rights violations by the State of Israel”, with further accusations that Israel was undermining press freedom. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez explicitly called for a boycott of Israel at Eurovision, arguing, “There is no room for double standards in culture”, and noting that if Russia was banned, so too should Israel be excluded.
The strong stance from Spain and Belgium peaked after Israel’s public vote victory, causing visible disappointment in both countries. Spain formally requested that the EBU reconsider the voting system, arguing that the public vote is influenced by political and security events – especially following the phenomenal success of Israel’s representative, Yuval Raphael, who received 297 points from the audience.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
Iceland Pushes for Israel’s Removal
A heated meeting of the Icelandic national broadcaster’s board at the end of April, marked by sharp disagreements over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025, led to the broadcaster’s support for Israel’s disqualification. Board chairman Stefán Jón Hafstein publicly called to back Israel’s removal should such a proposal arise at the EBU.
“There is precedent – Russia and Belarus have already been disqualified for unacceptable conduct. Why should Israel be treated differently?”
Hafstein stated in a closed forum, though his remarks quickly leaked online.
Irish Perspective: “The EBU Promised to Discuss Israel’s Disqualification”
The controversy is not limited to Iceland. In Ireland, reports emerged as early as May that EBU representatives had assured the local national broadcaster that a formal discussion on Israel’s exclusion would occur after the last Eurovision. On Irish social media, as well as in fan groups across Europe, this debate has become one of the hottest topics. “Will Israel be the next country to be disqualified from Eurovision?” – this question has stirred the community.
Politics, Music, and the Battle for National Identity
There is no doubt that politics is once again dominating Europe’s most colorful stage. Israel’s potential disqualification from Eurovision would spark not only a musical storm but also a profound question about the contest’s boundaries – is it purely a cultural arena, or is it a political battleground disguised as music? Over the past two years, as someone who closely covers the contest, I have witnessed how political tension influences every decision. This year, as with Russia and Belarus, it seems the EBU will once again be forced to take a side – so far, the EBU has distanced itself from political considerations, but this time? Who knows what will happen.
Will Israel Be Disqualified? A Message to the Community and Fans
The upcoming EBU discussion in July could be among the most dramatic in Eurovision’s history. For many Israelis, Eurovision is much more than a song contest – it is a stage for pride, identity, and connection to the world.
“Eurovision without Israel? That would be a historic mistake for everyone. Both the Eurovision production and the Israeli music scene would suffer.”
Summarized a senior figure in the Israeli music industry.
Israel at Eurovision 2025
“New Day Will Rise” is the song performed by Yuval Raphael, who was chosen to represent Israel after winning the 11th season of “The Next Star.” Israel advanced to the final after winning the second semi-final with 203 points and finished second overall with 436 points in the grand final. Israel ranked first in the public vote but only 14th with the jury. This marks the third consecutive year that Israel has reached the top five – an unprecedented achievement.
Eurovision 2025: This was Israel’s 47th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the contest in 1973 and has won four times. Its most recent victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy,” performed by singer Netta Barzilai.
