Table of Contents
In May 2025, amid its ongoing military assault on Gaza, Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest with singer Yuval Raphael, who represented the country with the song “New Day Will Rise.” Despite the controversy surrounding Israel’s actions in Gaza, Raphael placed second overall, sparking outrage and calls for Israel’s exclusion from the contest. Activists and public figures across Europe demanded that Eurovision uphold its values of “European unity and culture,” urging the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to expel Israel.
However, despite the criticisms, I believe Israel belongs in Eurovision. Let me explain why.
The Absurdity of Eurovision: An Unexpected Stage
Eurovision, with its glittering performances and campy theatrics, has long been a platform that transcends music—it is a reflection of Europe’s cultural politics. The spectacle often teeters on the absurd, with contestants draped in sequins and extravagant performances. But this year, Eurovision reached an even deeper level of controversy, as Israel participated while embroiled in a violent military campaign against Gaza. Despite this, the country nearly won, receiving significant public votes across Europe.
While some fans cheered for Israel, others were less enthusiastic, voicing their disapproval through protests and petitions. Yet Eurovision allowed Israel’s participation, and Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 Hamas attack, performed on the world stage. His performance was celebrated, but not without backlash. Accusations of vote-rigging surfaced, particularly from countries like Spain and Belgium, which filed formal complaints with the EBU over alleged manipulation of televoting. The muted audience booing and chants of “Free Palestine” during Raphael’s performance further ignited the controversy.
The Heart of the Controversy: Political Divisions in Europe
The core of the debate centers around Israel’s actions in Gaza. Critics argue that Israel’s participation in Eurovision should not be accepted, given the ongoing violence against Palestinians. Several European nations, such as Spain and Ireland, have voiced their condemnation, and public opinion across the continent is increasingly polarized on the issue.
Despite the mounting protests, Europe’s political establishment has largely remained silent or even supportive of Israel’s actions in Gaza. In February 2025, European foreign ministers met with Israeli officials and reinforced political and economic ties. While some countries—like Belgium and Ireland—expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, others, like Hungary, Italy, and France, have downplayed calls for accountability, with France even suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is immune from arrest due to Israel’s non-membership in the International Criminal Court.
This discrepancy highlights a wider issue in Europe: despite the outrage over Gaza, European leaders have consistently shown reluctance to take meaningful action against Israel, favoring economic and political alliances instead.
Israel’s Eurovision Participation: A Cultural and Political Reflection
The Israeli participation in Eurovision is not just about music—it also reflects Europe’s historical and ongoing ties to Israel. Many European intellectuals have long portrayed Israel as an outpost of Western civilization in a region perceived as chaotic. After the October 7 attack, this narrative was rekindled, with some commentators framing Israel as a moral beacon in a region surrounded by forces that threaten Western values.
For instance, French intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy and British commentator Douglas Murray have positioned Israel as a crucial bulwark against what they perceive as barbarism in the Middle East. This rhetoric, though controversial, underscores the cultural and political alignment between Israel and many European countries, which view Israel as a symbol of democracy and civilization, even amid its violent policies in Gaza.
Israel’s leaders have also adopted this framing, positioning themselves as defenders of civilization against perceived barbarism. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s post-October 7 rhetoric about “fighting the enemies of civilization” frames Israel’s military actions as part of a larger moral struggle, drawing parallels to the colonial narratives that historically justified violence in the name of order and civilization.
The Irony of Expelling Israel from Eurovision
So, when calls to expel Israel from Eurovision began circulating, I couldn’t help but note the irony. In a contest that celebrates cultural expression and unity, the very idea of expelling Israel over accusations of vote-rigging feels somewhat trivial compared to the far more pressing issue of its military actions in Gaza. After all, the historical context of European support for Israel, rooted in a complex mix of political, cultural, and civilizational narratives, has never been seriously challenged by the continent. But when it comes to something as inconsequential as a music contest, suddenly the boundaries of European unity and values become starkly clear.
If Eurovision were to expel Israel now, it would be the harshest penalty the continent has ever imposed on the nation, yet it would not be for the violence Israel has inflicted but for allegedly meddling with pop music.
Why Israel Should Stay in Eurovision
Israel belongs in Eurovision because its inclusion reflects Europe’s contradictions. The continent has consistently prioritized its economic, political, and strategic interests over holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. Eurovision, as a reflection of European unity, should be held accountable for this disconnect. Kicking Israel out of Eurovision would be a symbolic gesture, but it wouldn’t address the more significant questions about Europe’s complicity in Israel’s military actions.
Moreover, Eurovision, for all its glitter and spectacle, has always been political. The contest offers a stage for countries to express their identity and align themselves with European cultural values. Israel’s continued participation in Eurovision would reflect the reality of European foreign policy—one that continues to side with Israel, regardless of its military actions in Gaza.
Conclusion
Though understandable, the calls for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision miss the point. Much like European foreign policy, Eurovision is deeply entangled in complex political realities. Israel’s participation in the contest isn’t just about music; it’s about the broader narrative of Western support for Israel and the cultural and civilizational rhetoric that continues to shape European views on the Middle East.
So, yes, Israel belongs in Eurovision. If anything, its continued inclusion is a mirror of the political, cultural, and moral failures of European leaders who choose to stand by Israel, even as its policies continue to devastate Gaza.
Author Profile
- Syed Tahir Abbas is a Master's student at Southwest University, Chongqing, specializing in international relations and sustainable development. His research focuses on U.S.-China diplomacy, global geopolitics, and the role of education in shaping international policies. Syed has contributed to academic discussions on political dynamics, economic growth, and sustainable energy, aiming to offer fresh insights into global affairs.
Latest entries
Education PolicyMay 29, 2025Impact of Trump Administration’s Crackdown on Chinese Students
Canadian PoliticsMay 27, 2025Canada’s 2025 Election: A Shifting Political Landscape
Disability RightsMay 25, 2025From Fringe to Federal: How Eugenicist Thinking is Shaping U.S. Policy
Immigration PolicyMay 24, 2025What’s Normal, What’s Not, About ODNI’s Request to Revise the NIC’s Intelligence Assessment
2 comments
Great
Your blog is absolute delight to read, the way you express ideas with such clarity and enthusiasm is truly inspiring.