Prime Minister of Spain calls for Eurovision to ban Israel to end ‘double standard’

The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest.

The leader uploaded a clip to social media from his wider speech at an official event in which he discussed Israel’s controversial involvement in the annual competition.

In his speech he said: ‘Spain’s commitment to human rights must be constant and consistent, including in Europe.

‘If Russia was required not to participate in Eurovision after the invasion of Ukraine, neither should Israel. We cannot allow double standards, not even in culture.’

Sanchez has been Prime Minister since June 2018 and is leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE)

Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

When Russia was banned, the EBU said it remained dedicated to ‘protecting 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 been vocal about the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. In May 2024, Sanchez said: ‘We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words: peace, justice and consistency’ and backed a ‘two-state solution’

Israel came second in this year’s event in Basel, Switzerland with their act Yuval Raphael (as Austria’s act JJ claimed the top spot) but their performance faced heavy protest throughout the week.

It is the second year in a row there have been ongoing calls for Israel to be removed following the deaths of over 50,000 people in Gaza since Israel launched their attacks after October 7, per the BBC.

There have been mounting calls to boycott the competition until the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) removes Israel.

In fact, Spanish broadcasters risked being fined by the EBU this year after displaying a statement ahead of the Grand Final which read: ‘When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and Justice for Palestine.’

The message displayed for 16 seconds.

Even last year’s winner, Nemo, has joined the voices condemning the country’s participation.

‘I personally feel like it doesn’t make sense that Israel is a part of this Eurovision. And of Eurovision in general right now. I don’t know how much I want to get into detail, but I would say, I don’t support the fact that Israel is part of Eurovision at the moment,’ they told HuffPost UK.

Then added in an additional statement: ‘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.’

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