Spain's public broadcaster urges review of Israel’s participation in Eurovision song contest

OVIEDO, Spain

Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE on Friday called for a debate on Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, citing public concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In a letter to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), RTVE President Jose Pablo Lopez reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to the contest but urged the organization to acknowledge and discuss the public’s unease regarding Israel’s inclusion via its broadcaster KAN.

“RTVE believes it would be appropriate for the EBU to acknowledge this debate and facilitate a space for reflection among its member broadcasters,” the letter stated, according to an official RTVE statement.

This year’s Eurovision is set to take place in May in the Swiss city of Basel.

Israel will be represented by 24-year-old Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Her song features lyrics that metaphorically reference the conflict.

Last year, Israel’s participation in the contest sparked widespread criticism and protests.

The controversy intensified as Eurovision organizers banned Palestinian and EU flags, and Dutch contestant Joost Klein was disqualified ahead of the final for hitting a film camera.

Swedish authorities later cleared Klein, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove the act was intended to cause fear or that he had such intent, according to the Swedish Prosecution Authority.

Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has criticized Israel’s continued participation, saying millions “felt ashamed” that Eurovision was being used to “whitewash a genocide.”

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, nearly 51,000 people have been killed in the enclave since the outbreak of the war.

On Friday, the World Health Organization warned of “critically low” supplies of essential medicines and medical equipment due to the ongoing Israeli blockade on aid.