Previous champion Nemo set to square off against Israel's entry in this year's Eurovision Song Contest - Previous champion Nemo faces dispute over Israel's eligibility in the Eurovision Song Contest
ARTICLE REWRITTEN:
Nemo Speaks Against Israel's Participation in ESC: A Renewed Controversy
Yo!
After securing the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) win for Switzerland in 2024 with "The Code," participant Nemo (25) is making waves again—this time by voicing opposition to Israel's participation in the competition, citing the ongoing Gaza conflict as the reason. The controversy isn't new, as a group of 70 former ESC participants, Spain, and some other countries have all raised concerns.
When questioned by Huffpost UK, Nemo stated, "I don't support Israel taking part in ESC." He added, "I'm in support of calls to exclude Israel from the ESC. Israel's actions betray the supposed values that Eurovision stands for—peace, unity, and respect for human rights." Being the champion of the 2024 event, this year's edition will unfold in the Swiss border city of Basel, with the final scheduled for May 17th.
This year's Israeli representative on the ESC stage, Yuval Raphael (24), has her own compelling backstory. Yuval is a survivor of the Hamas terror attack on the Nova music festival in Israel, where she was with a friend when terrorists from the Gaza Strip orchestrated a massacre. Her song, "New Day Will Rise," is about loss and hope.
Israel's participation in the Malmo competition previously stirred up substantial demonstrations and backstage drama. This came in the wake of the ongoing war against the terrorist organization Hamas, which Israel is waging in the Gaza Strip. This conflict began after the brutal massacre by Palestinian terrorists within Israel, leading to over 50,000 casualties in the Gaza Strip. For almost two months, the military has prevented any humanitarian aid from entering the area inhabited by around two million people, causing starvation and suffering among its residents. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing and selling humanitarian aid at exorbitant prices.
Bet you didn't know: Israel has been a notable force in Eurovision, having clinched the competition four times, in 1978, 1979, 1998, and most recently in 2018 with Netta Barzilai's "Toy." In 2024, Israel grabbed the fifth spot overall, continuing to establish its presence in the contest.
ISRAEL
ESC
Eurovision Song Contest
SWITZERLAND
GAZA CONFLICT
BASEL
MALMO
GAZA STRIP
HAMAS
SPAIN
Gaza Conflict: Background and Fallout
Historically, Israel has played a significant role in Eurovision. In 2024, the country finished in fifth place, showcasing its ongoing commitment to the competition. Yet, renewed controversy has arisen from the 2024 event due to Israel's participation amidst the Gaza conflict.
Israel's broadcaster, KAN, and the country's involvement have faced criticism from numerous former Eurovision participants and music professionals. Over 70 former contestants—singers, songwriters, and creatives from Europe—have signed an open letter, calling for Israel's exclusion from the 2025 competition. They accuse KAN of complicity in what they described as genocide and apartheid against Palestinians, charges that Israel denies.
The open letter condemned Israel's involvement in the 2024 contest, labeling it as "the most politicized and chaotic" edition in Eurovision history. Critics pointed out what they perceive to be double standards by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), in contrasting Israel's participation against Russia's barring from the 2022 contest after its invasion of Ukraine. Thea Garrett (Malta 2010) stated, "Bombing means being excluded," emphasizing the calls for consistent rule enforcement.
During the 2024 contest, Eden Golan, Israel's participant, was made to revise her song, "October Rain," due to references associated with the October 7th attacks in Israel. This led to threats of withdrawal from the Israeli delegation. In 2025, Israel is represented by Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7th attacks, performing "New Day Will Rise." This participation has further intensified the debate about Israel's participation in Eurovision.
Concerns have been raised by various participating countries' broadcasters and officials. Spain's RTVE has requested discussions about Israel's involvement, while Iceland's delegation and foreign minister have expressed skepticism over Israel's participation. Slovenia's broadcaster has backed calls for Israel to be excluded.
Implications and Questions
These disputes raise critical questions about the Eurovision Song Contest's role as a cultural event it its handling of geopolitical conflicts. The EBU acknowledged the concerns related to the Middle East conflict, stating it has ongoing dialogues with participants. Amidst this balancing act between maintaining Eurovision's apolitical ethos and addressing the ethical concerns of participants and audiences, the controversy persists.
The controversy has also cast a shadow over the reputation and unity of Eurovision, underlining debated inconsistencies in how the EBU enforces rules regarding countries involved in military conflicts.
In essence, Israel's involvement in Eurovision amidst the Gaza conflict has brought into focus:
- Israel's impressive track record in Eurovision, boasting four wins.
- Intense backlash from over 70 former Eurovision participants who accuse Israel and its broadcaster KAN of complicity in violence against Palestinians and demand Israel's exclusion.
- Criticism of the European Broadcasting Union for perceived double standards in the application of rules related to conflict zones.
- Controversies during the 2024 contest, including song modifications and heightened political sensitivities.
- Concern and debate among broadcasters of various countries about Israel's participation.
- Ongoing dialogue by the EBU balancing the contest's apolitical ethos with geopolitical realities.
This situation serves as a testament to the escalating challenges for Eurovision in navigating complex international conflicts and their potential impact on culturally-oriented events that aim to remain inclusive and politically neutral.
- The European Parliament and the Council have passed a resolution expressing concern over Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) considering the ongoing Gaza conflict, calling for discussions on the EU's role in the Middle East peace process.
- The controversy continues to evolve, with over 70 former Eurovision participants signing an open letter, urging the inclusion of online and social-media platforms in monitoring acts of violence and war-and-conflicts to ensure compliance with Eurovision's values, which encompass peace, unity, and respect for human rights.
- In the midst of these debates, the 2025 ESCprepare to unfold in the Swiss border city of Basel, with Yuval Raphael representing Israel on stage, sharing her compelling story about surviving Hamas' attack at the Nova music festival and performing "New Day Will Rise."
- Entertainment and politics are increasingly intertwined, with General-News and crime-and-justice issues continuing to shape the discourse around the Eurovision Song Contest, highlighting the demands for consistency in the EBU's rule enforcement concerning countries involved in military conflicts.
- Heightened political sensitivities have led to song modifications, such as Eden Golan's revision of "October Rain" in 2024, prompting threats of withdrawal from the Israeli delegation in the face of ongoing protests and criticisms.
- As the drama unfolds, issues surrounding Israel's involvement in Eurovision reflect the complex challenges for maintaining an apolitical ethos while addressing ethical concerns and promoting peace and unity in an increasingly divided world.
