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During Thursday evening’s broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest, Spanish national broadcaster TVE broke from tradition to spotlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As Israel's contestant Yuval Raphael was introduced, TVE aired captions challenging Israel's inclusion in the competition.
“TVE has requested a debate over its participation,” one of the captions read. “The victims of the Israeli attacks exceed 50,000, including more than 15,000 children.”
Another message emphasized the festival’s core values: “This festival is peaceful,” it read, calling for “justice and respect for human rights.”
The captions also noted that Raphael survived the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, reflecting the broader context of the conflict.
Last month, TVE officially called for a review of Israel’s participation, echoing public concern over the ongoing war in Gaza. Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun previously said that millions were “ashamed” that Eurovision was being used to “whitewash a genocide.”
On the same day as the broadcast, tensions between Spain and Israel escalated further when Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez referred to Israel as a “genocidal state.” In response, Israel summoned the Spanish ambassador.
In Basel, Switzerland—host city of Eurovision 2025—police officers removed activists carrying Palestinian flags from the vicinity of the St. Jakobshalle arena.
“I will not tolerate this,” said Marta, one of the activists. “I do not want Israel participating while they are massacring Palestinians.”
Marta claimed she was threatened with a five-day ban from the area if she did not leave or remove the flag. According to her, authorities made it clear that Palestinian flags were not permitted near the stadium.
Another activist, Otto, condemned Israel's presence in the contest, calling it “a terrible crime” to allow the “propaganda of a country actively committing genocide.”
The death toll in Gaza has reportedly surpassed 53,000, with over 100,000 injured. Israel has kept border crossings closed since March 2, blocking vital food, medical, and humanitarian supplies, according to international organisations and rights groups.
Doctors Without Borders announced on Thursday that the last operational cancer treatment facility in the Gaza Strip is now out of service, further worsening the humanitarian crisis.
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