Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest due to its military actions in Gaza. At a news conference in Madrid, he argued that there should be no “double standards” between countries facing international scrutiny. Sánchez referenced Russia's ban from Eurovision since 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine, stating that if Russia could be excluded, then Israel should face similar consequences.
Israel recently placed second in the Eurovision grand final held in Switzerland, receiving the top score from public voting, including 12 points from Spanish viewers. This generated backlash, with Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, mocking Sánchez via social media, calling the voting results a significant “slap in the face” for the Spanish leader.
Sánchez has been outspoken about human rights, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people during the ongoing conflict. He declared that Spain’s commitment to international law must be unwavering, reiterating the call for equitable treatment across cultural contexts. His government's recognition of Palestinian statehood last year and characterization of Israel as a "genocidal state" have further strained diplomatic relations.
In light of these events, Spain's broadcast network, RTVE, which supported Palestinian rights ahead of the contest, has demanded an audit of Israel’s voting score. While Eurovision celebrates musical diversity, the political undertones of the competition continue to surface, challenging its integrity amidst contentious global affairs.
