News Archives - Page 159 of 270

Greece Stands with Israel at Eurovision: “Israel Truly Won First Place in the Public Vote”

May 23, 2025May 24, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A gesture of support: Greece rebuffs allegations from European sources, including the Spanish national broadcaster, regarding vote-rigging that led to Israel’s win in the public vote at Eurovision. European countries such as Spain and Belgium have questioned the credibility of the public voting results at Eurovision. In contrast, Greece, Israel’s neighbor across the sea, has expressed support for the voting system. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Greek government spokesperson, Pavlos Marinakis, who also holds political authority over the Greek national broadcaster, ERT, dismissed the allegations from various European sources regarding supposed Israeli vote manipulation and stated: “Eurovision is a music competition. Artists and songs participate. The public and the juries vote according to their own criteria. Indeed, the European public placed Israel in first place, in line with how each person chose to vote”. He went on to reaffirm the Greek government’s support for Israel and reminded the public of the reasons behind the outbreak of...

Klavdia: ” I Hope That One Day Eurovision will Once Again be Purely a Song Contest”

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "It deeply saddens me that the contest has become political": Klavdia, Greece's Eurovision 2025 representative, responded to the statement by the new Eurovision winner regarding Israel's participation. How did she react to his remarks? Yesterday (Thursday), Klavdia, Greece's Eurovision 2025 representative, received an award from the Greek national broadcaster ERT and, alongside it, made a sweeping statement against the ongoing politicization of the contest in recent times. When asked about the comments made by JJ, the Eurovision 2025 winner, regarding the exclusion of Israel from the competition, she did not remain indifferent and directly opposed the use of politics in Eurovision. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "The Contest Has Become Political" When Klavdia was asked about JJ's pointed statement - that Israel should be excluded from the contest - she gave a clear and straightforward answer. Klavdia made a firm decision, which she has upheld throughout the competition: “It’s a song contest. It deeply saddens me...

Netherlands: Submission Window for Eurovision 2026 Songs Opens

May 23, 2025 by Nitsan Eliraz Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch national broadcaster has opened the submission window for Eurovision 2026. Artists and songwriters can submit entries until August 31, with the representative and song to be chosen internally. Following the announcement by the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS that it will once again use an internal selection process to choose the country’s representative for Eurovision 2026, the Netherlands has officially opened the song submission window for artists and songwriters, which will remain open until August 31. The Netherlands was the first country to confirm its participation in Eurovision 2026, already doing so in November 2024. The Dutch national broadcaster has expressed satisfaction with the country’s recent achievements in the competition, having reached the final no fewer than 10 times over the past 12 years. As a result, they have decided to continue with the internal selection process. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Submission Window and Song Requirements The song submission window will close in approximately three months, on August 31....

Reports in Sweden: SVT Knew About Måns Zelmerlöw’s Drug and Violence Allegations

May 23, 2025 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw, who competed in this year’s Melodifestivalen, faces accusations of drug use and violence against his ex-wife. Production officials admitted awareness but took no action. A storm has erupted in Sweden over the participation of singer Måns Zelmerlöw in the Melodifestivalen 2025 final. According to an investigation by Aftonbladet, senior officials at the Swedish national broadcaster, SVT, were aware that Zelmerlöw was struggling with drug addiction and knew of allegations of violence against his former partner, Ciara Janson. Nevertheless, they allowed him to continue competing. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Zelmerlöw, 38, was considered a leading contender to win, even for Eurovision 2025 itself, but there was significant concern behind the scenes. Production sources revealed that throughout the tour, his drug problem was widely discussed and known. According to testimonies, he used drugs during the competition and even consumed cocaine at the after-party in March. Sources claim he spoke openly about his drug use. Public Response and...

Belgium: Eurovision 2025 Judge Participated in a Pro-Palestinian Campaign

May 23, 2025 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Belgian organization Hart Voor Israël ("Heart for Israel") is demanding an investigation by the national broadcaster after its jury gave Israel zero points at Eurovision 2025, while the public awarded Israel the maximum points. The controversy over Belgium’s Eurovision scoring for Israel continues. While the public at home awarded Israel the maximum 12 points, the Belgian jury chose not to give Israel any points. It has now been revealed that one of the jury members, singer Noémie Wolfs, participated in a pro-Palestinian campaign. In response, the organization "Hart Voor Israël" is demanding an external investigation by the Belgian national broadcaster (VRT). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Call for Investigation into Jury Composition On Wednesday, "Hart Voor Israël" issued a public call for VRT to launch an independent investigation into the jury’s composition and its conduct. At the center of the demand is Wolfs’ participation in an Oxfam campaign with the hashtag "#SpeakUpForPalestine", which, according to...

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

May 22, 2025 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...

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

May 22, 2025May 22, 2025 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...

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

May 21, 2025 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...

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

May 21, 2025 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...

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

May 21, 2025 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...