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Italy's public broadcaster RAI announced Saturday it supports Israel's participation in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest and confirmed the country will compete in the event, scheduled to take place in Vienna this year.
The declaration follows the European Broadcasting Union General Assembly's approval of Israel's entry for the competition's 70th edition. Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia have withdrawn from the contest in protest, citing Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. Iceland has indicated it will hold additional discussions before making a final decision.
In a written statement, RAI defended its position by highlighting Italy's longstanding relationship with the international music competition.
"Italy has always believed in and invested in the Eurovision Song Contest, making significant contributions to its development and international success, including financial support," the broadcaster said.
The statement emphasized RAI's view of Eurovision as a unifying cultural platform, describing it as "the longest-running international music festival" and an event "capable of bringing together different cultures in a shared celebration."
RAI characterized its participation as part of a broader effort to enhance Italy's presence in global cultural events. The broadcaster noted that its investment in Eurovision has increased in recent years, framing the decision as consistent with the nation's cultural diplomacy objectives.
"RAI's dedication confirms Italy's desire to strengthen its role in promoting music, culture and entertainment on the global stage," the statement added.
1 min read
The withdrawals represent a significant challenge for the EBU as it prepares for this year's contest. The Eurovision Song Contest, which began in 1956, typically features dozens of participating countries and attracts a television audience of hundreds of millions worldwide. The competition has occasionally faced political controversies throughout its history, though participants are nominally required to separate politics from the artistic competition.
The boycott movement has created a split among European broadcasters, with some countries viewing participation as a cultural rather than political matter, while others see withdrawal as a moral stance on the Gaza conflict.
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