Spanish PM Calls for Israel to Be Banned from Eurovision Over Gaza Conflict

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for Israel to be barred from competing in future Eurovision Song Contests, citing human rights concerns amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Mr Sánchez shared a video clip from a recent speech on social media in which he raised concerns over Israel’s continued participation in the competition, which has faced mounting criticism.

He said: “Spain’s commitment to human rights must be constant and consistent, including in Europe.”

“If Russia were required not to participate in Eurovision after the invasion of Ukraine, then neither should Israel. We cannot allow double standards, not even in culture,” he added.

Mr Sánchez has led Spain since 2018 and heads the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), which currently governs in coalition.

Russia was removed from the contest in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine – a decision made by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

At the time, the EBU said Eurovision must continue to “protect the values of a cultural competition which promotes international exchange and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music and unites Europe on one stage.”

Spain’s left-wing government has taken a firm stance on the war in Gaza. In May 2024, Mr Sánchez declared: “We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words: peace, justice and consistency,” voicing support for a two-state solution.

Israel finished second at the 2025 Eurovision in Basel, Switzerland, with singer Yuval Raphael, while Austria’s act JJ won the competition. Israel’s participation, however, was marred by ongoing protests.

It marks the second consecutive year Israel’s inclusion has sparked controversy, amid public outrage over the Gaza death toll, with more than 50,000 people reported killed since Israel launched retaliatory strikes after the 7 October Hamas attacks, according to the BBC.

There have been growing calls for the EBU to suspend Israel from the contest, with critics accusing the body of applying inconsistent standards.

Spanish public broadcasters were reportedly warned by the EBU that they could face fines after airing a political message before the 2025 Grand Final.

The message, which stayed on screen for 16 seconds, read: “When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and Justice for Palestine.”

Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo also weighed in on the controversy, saying they believed Israel should not be taking part in the contest at this time.

Speaking to HuffPost UK, the Swiss artist said: “I feel like it doesn’t make sense that Israel is a part of this Eurovision… I don’t support the fact that Israel is part of Eurovision at the moment.”

In a follow-up statement, they said: “I support the call for Israel’s exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest.”

“Israel’s actions are fundamentally at odds with the values that Eurovision claims to uphold — peace, unity, and respect for human rights,” Nemo added.