Israel’s extraordinary and controversial relationship with the Eurovision Song Contest since its first entry in 1973. The nation has succeeded fabulously in the storied competition four times. Yet its participation is often met with heated disputes and protests, especially given the current geopolitical landscape. As Israel gets ready to welcome Eurovision’s 2025 edition in their own territory, the growing European landscape is still marked by controversy and division.
Israel had only participated in Eurovision for the first time a year prior to the Munich massacre. Today, we were reminded that this event presaged a difficult period for the country. Despite this historical backdrop, Israel’s participation has continued, with notable victories, including Dana International’s 1997 win. She drew national headlines as the first openly queer winner of the long-running contest. Her win represents a beacon of progress in an otherwise challenging and often regressive cultural and political environment.
Controversies Surrounding Participation
In recent years, Israel’s participation has faced increasing criticism, especially given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Opponents of allowing Israel to compete say doing so would be a tacit endorsement of Israel’s actions in the region. They fear it might actually excuse such things. Dr. Carniel, a commentator on the subject, stated, “allow music to be used as a tool to whitewash crimes against humanity,” referring to the implications of hosting performers from nations embroiled in conflict.
The storm really erupted when Israel’s entry for the 2024 contest—which they initially called “October Rain”—drew immediate outrage. Critics called for changes after they believed it promoted political messaging. This situation highlights the challenges Eurovision faces in maintaining its image as a politically neutral platform despite its participants’ diverse backgrounds.
Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN has in the past been asked whether it was still eligible to take part in the contest. Donal Mulligan remarked on the paradox of Eurovision’s supposed political neutrality, stating, “There’s always been the idea that Eurovision is above politics, which is slightly fantastical to some degree.” He particularly emphasized how this conception falls apart in practice when countries with fraught histories are at stake.
Recent Developments and Reactions
Although Israel’s choice of Yuval Raphael as their contestant for the 2025 Eurovision has been finalized, it has already drawn a wave of backlash. Israel’s participation has been opposed by several Arab countries. Much like then, when Jordan terminated the television broadcast of the 1978 competition upon determining that Israel was going to win, this response has created a stir.
As urgency around getting things started to move increased… Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia all declared their intention to boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was given the green light to participate. Mulligan noted that Spain’s involvement in the boycott could significantly alter the competition’s dynamics: “It’s very significant that Spain is amongst the countries who are boycotting as it will change the nature of the competition and voting.”
Amid these tensions, Israeli artist Eden Golan managed to secure a fifth-place finish in 2024 despite receiving lackluster scores from national juries. This result led to an avalanche of new questions about the integrity of the nationwide voting process. This is especially troubling given that Israel has been accused of interference in past elections.
Future Implications and Considerations
In addition, experts are very intentionally watching the talk about Israel’s continued role. In doing so, they argue that the EBU should reconsider its position in light of these developments. Dr. Carniel posited, “Ultimately, the EBU may need to perform a cost-benefit analysis of Israel’s ongoing participation — is their participation worth the loss of four participants, including one of their largest financial supporters?”
This perennial dispute is emblematic of a larger fight inside of Eurovision as the contest tries to straddle the line between pure entertainment and the political truth. Countries are currently and openly arguing about their positions regarding Israel being allowed to participate in Eurovision. This year’s state of affairs underlines that Eurovision is more than a music competition — it reflects complicated international trends.
