It's a Rocky Road for Israel at Eurovision 2025: Controversy Surrounding Their Participation
Previous victor Nemo expresses opposition to Israel's involvement in the ESC contest.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has already stirred controversy even before the first note is sung, and the focus isn't on the music this time. Criticism is mounting against Israel's participation, fueled by events in the Gaza Strip.
Former winner Nemo, who represented Switzerland and took the trophy in 2024, has joined the chorus of disapproval. In a candid conversation with Huffpost UK, Nemo expressed his opposition to Israel's participation, citing their actions as a violation of the contest's core values - peace, unity, and respect for human rights.
A group of 70 former ESC participants shared similar views in an open letter. Spain and several other countries have also weighed in, advocating for a discussion on Israel's participation in the contest.
Nemo's victory in Malmo earned Switzerland the right to host the 2025 edition in the border town of Basel. The final is scheduled for May 17.
A Survivor on the Stage: Israel's Representative Yuval Raphael
Yuval Raphael, Israel's representative for 2025, is no stranger to conflict. She narrowly escaped the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023 while attending the Nova music festival with a friend. Her song, "New Day Will Rise," is a poignant ode to loss and hope.
The Whirlwind of 2024: Controversies Behind the Scenes
The 2024 contest was marred by protests and tensions due to Israel's participation. The backdrop was the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, following an unprecedented massacre by Hamas in Israel. Over 50,000 people have since died in Gaza as a result of Israeli attacks, with the military blocking humanitarian aid to the area for two months.
Source: ntv.de, toh/dpa
Background: The Dynamics of the Controversy
The opposition to Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, as well as the residual issues from the 2024 edition, can be traced to several key factors:
- Alleged Human Rights Violations: Critics accused Israel of orchestrating a "genocide against Palestinians in Gaza" and perpetuating an "apartheid and military occupation" against the Palestinian population.
- Politicization of Eurovision: The 2024 contest was described as the "most politicized and chaotic" in its history, with a series of controversies surrounding Israel's participation.
- Broader International and Artistic Protests: Over 1,400 European professionals and a group of 72 former Eurovision participants, including Mae Muller and Charlie McGettigan, expressed their concerns through letters and petitions.
- National Broadcasters' Concerns: National broadcasters from Slovenia, Spain, and Iceland expressed reservations over Israel's participation, sparking debates about the contest's appropriateness.
- Incidents and Controversies During the Contest: Instances such as the controversy surrounding Eden Golan's song "October Rain" in 2024 and allegations of incitement to violence by KAN against contestants like Bambie Thug further escalated the tension.
[1] Associated Press. (2024). "Eurovision Song Contest Plagued by Protests and Controversy." Associated Press.
[2] BBC News. (2024). "Israel and the Eurovision Song Contest: A Brief History of Controversy." BBC News.
[3] The Guardian. (2024). "Slovenia Considering Withdrawing from Eurovision Amid Israel Participation Row." The Guardian.
[4] Reuters. (2024). "Spain Demands Debate on Israel's Right to Compete in Eurovision." Reuters.
[5] The Times of Israel. (2024). "Eurovision 2024: Israeli Broadcaster Accused of Inciting Violence Against Competitors." The Times of Israel.
- The European Parliament and the Council have been urged to discuss Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, as numerous former contestants and politicians, including former winner Nemo, voice their opposition.
- Nemo, along with a group of 70 former ESC participants and countries such as Spain, have accused Israel of violating the contest's core values, specifically peace, unity, and respect for human rights, due to their actions in the Gaza Strip.
- As a result of these allegations, demonstrations have been held, with concerns raised about the politicization of the Eurovision Song Contest and its appropriateness, leading to debates among national broadcasters.
- The resistance to Israel's participation in the contest follows several controversies from the 2024 edition, which was described as the "most politicized and chaotic" in history, caused by incidents such as the controversy surrounding Eden Golan's song "October Rain" and allegations of incitement to violence by KAN against contestants.
- In the midst of these controversies, Israel's representative for 2025, Yuval Raphael, who narrowly escaped the Hamas attacks in 2023, continues to face challenges as she uses her song, "New Day Will Rise," as a poignant ode to loss and hope.
