Eurovision 2025 is just days away, but with rehearsal now in full swing, several artists have launched calls for Israel’s exclusion from the Contest.
Exclusion “the only way forward”
Israel’s participation in the Contest has been a source of controversy for decades. However, tensions were heightened further during the 2024 Contest in Malmö, where Israel finished in fifth place. Since then, the EBU has faced numerous calls for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision.
In recent days, the number of figures coming forward has increased dramatically. On May 6th, an open letter to the EBU was published. Signed by over 70 different artists previously at Eurovision, the petition called for the immediate expulsion of Israel from the Contest. In the letter, the artists – including former winner Salvador Sobral – accused KAN of being “complicit in Israel’s genocide against Palestinians”. They also argued that the debacle in Malmö made the 2024 Contest “the most politicized and unpleasant in the competition’s history”.
Following this, a wave of other acts came forward to voice their opinions. In Norway, dozens of artists also signed their own open letter calling for the removal of Israel from the Contest. Norway’s broadcaster NRK responded in a statement a short time later, saying:
The EBU’s assessment so far has been that Israel’s public broadcaster is editorially independent of the State of Israel. This also means that the criteria for membership and participation in the Eurovision Song Contest are met. It is correct that some politicians in other countries have spoken out about Israel’s participation in the contest, and the Slovenian broadcaster has expressed the desire for a boycott. However, according to the EBU, no members have formally advocated a boycott.
For NRK, this does not change our assessment and our perception of what our task is as a public broadcaster.
If NRK were to initiate a cultural boycott of another participant, we would lose our credibility as an independent news provider.
On top of this, current reigning winner Nemo also expressed their own opposition to Israel’s participation, telling the Huffington Post that they personally felt “it doesn’t make sense that Israel is a part of this Eurovision. And of Eurovision in general right now.”
Threats of withdrawal
The various calls for Israel’s exclusion came amid calls from broadcasters RTVE, RTV SLO and RTÉ to have a discussion on Israeli participation. Within Ireland, the National Union of Journalists urged RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst to formally voice Ireland’s opposition to Israeli inclusion in the Contest. The resulting discussions led to speculation on a potential late withdrawal from RTÉ. However, in a statement issued on Friday (May 9th) – RTÉ confirmed it would still be participating.
Meanwhile, a response from the EBU surrounding the letter appeared to commit to a wider discussion on Israeli participation in due course. The statement read:
Further to the comments from RTÉ Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst, in which he asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel’s inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest – and to his confirmation yesterday that RTÉ will not be withdrawing from this year’s Eurovision – Kevin Bakhurst has confirmed that he, along with RTÉ’s Director of Video, Steve Carson had a meeting today with the EBU and raised RTÉ’s concerns. There is a commitment from the EBU to have a wider discussion amongst members in due course.
Other broadcasters have now joined in calls for a discussion on participation, including Flemish broadcaster VRT, as well as Slovenia’s RTV SLO and Spain’s RTVE.
The story of Eurovision 2025 so far
Switzerland will be hosting the 69th edition of the competition following Nemo’s historic win at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. A few weeks after their win, Reto Peritz, and Moritz Stadler, was announced as the Executive Producers, with the other roles revealed in July 2024.
Basel, Bern & Biel/Bienne, Geneva, and Zurich submitted bids to host next year’s competition, with Basel and Geneva being shortlisted as the final two cities. After the shortlist, it was revealed that Basel will host Eurovision 2025, at St. Jakobshalle with the shows taking place on May 13, 15 and 17.
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News Source: Huffington Post / Éirevision / RTÉ / Artists for Palestine / NRK
Photo Credit: Tim J / That Eurovision Site
Rory Gannon 
Giwrgos Oiko