Politicians in Lithuania have called for an investigation into Israel’s televote score at Eurovision 2025. It comes as the EBU has committed to a “broad discussion” surrounding Israeli participation.
Politicians hit back after ambassador comments
A number of politicians in Lithuania called out the result following comments made by former Israeli ambassador to Lithuania Yossef Levy. Speaking on the results, Levy branded the Lithuanian jury – which gave no points to Israel – as “Soviet”. He also took aim at the Polish and Serbian juries, who also refused to give Israel points during the show.
Following this, Remigijus Žemaitaitis – chairman of the ruling Nemunas Aušra party in Lithuania took to social media to demand an investigation into Israel’s result. He said in a post:
Since when has Israel given instructions to the independent state of Lithuania on how Lithuanian citizens should vote in Eurovision; what they should talk about, and say; how they should express their thoughts so that Israel would be satisfied?
I wonder if tomorrow Lithuanian politicians will instruct the Prosecutor General’s Office to launch a pre-trial investigation into the Lithuanian Eurovision judging panel for inciting hatred and disobeying the Israeli authorities by not awarding points to the representative of the state of Israel in the contest, whose leaders are carrying out active criminal military actions in the Gaza Strip that meet the definition of a Holocaust-genocide.
Other politicians in Lithuania also spoke out on the comments made by Levy. Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius from the Freedom Party – which currently holds no seats in the Seimas – said Levy’s comments were “direct evidence that Israel sees Eurovision not as a song contest, but as a means of political brainwashing.”
It comes as several broadcasters have appealed to the EBU for clarity in the data provided for the televote. A number of broadcasters have asked for a full breakdown following the show, which saw Israel finish in second place. Allegations of mass voter manipulation have been denied by broadcaster KAN. In an open letter to the Eurovision community, Director Martin Green said they would “look into” the claims.
Lithuania’s Eurovision journey
The Baltic nation made its debut at the Eurovision Song contest in 1994, where Ovidijus Vyšniauskas represented them with the song “Lopšinė mylimai”, which placed 25th. Since then, Lithuania has participated 22 times and made the Grand Final 15 times. LT United gave Lithuania their best ever Eurovision result back in 2006, where the country placed 6th.
In 2025, Katarsis represented Lithuania, participating with the song “Tavo akys”. Performing in the second semi-final, Katarsis qualified for the final in sixth place. In the Grand Final, Lithuania finished in 16th place overall, with 96 points – 34 points came from the juries, with another 62 points from the televote.
What do you think of the Lithuanian politicians wading in on the Eurovision 2025 drama? Will the EBU take on their concerns? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News Source: LRT
Photo Credit: Alma Bengtsson / EBU
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