Eurovision organisers address ‘concerns’ over Israel’s inclusion after controversy

Eden Golan represented Israel at last year’s Eurovision, which was mired in controversy (Picture: Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images)

Eurovision organisers have responded to calls for a debate around the participation of Israeli public broadcaster Kan.

Last year’s singing competition was mired in controversy and the participation of Israeli contestant, Eden Golan, in the wake of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, was a frayed point of debate.

Spanish broadcaster RTVE said it had written to the director-general of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Noel Curran, requesting the opening of a ‘debate’ to be held within the organisation ahead of this year’s competition, taking place in Basel, Switzerland in May.

In response, the EBU said it appreciated there are concerns about the ‘current conflict in the Middle East’ and remains ‘in constant contact with those participating this year’.

An English translation on the RTVE website said: ‘RTVE conveys its commitment to the EBU, but also acknowledges the concerns raised by various civil society groups in Spain regarding the situation in Gaza and the participation of the public television station Kan in the competition.’

It went on: ‘RTVE believes it would be appropriate for the EBU to recognise the existence of this debate and facilitate a space for reflection among EBU member broadcasters on the participation of Israeli public television station Kan.’

This year’s competition is being held in Switzerland following Nemo’s win with The Code (Picture: SPA/dana press/Shutterstock)

A statement on the EBU website said: ‘We welcome RTVE confirming their commitment to the Eurovision Song Contest and appreciate there are concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East.

‘All Members of the EBU are eligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest and we remain in constant contact with those participating this year, including RTVE, on all aspects of the Contest.’

Kan is a member of the EBU and this year has put forward as its entrant Yuval Raphael, who will perform the song New Day Will Rise.

Last year, the EBU faced immense controversy over the inclusion of Israel following the ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed more than 50,000 Palestinian people following the October 7 attacks, when Hamas kidnapped more than 250 people and killed 1,200.

Israel’s representative this year, Yuval Raphael, will perform New Day Will Rise (Picture: Reuters)

Israeli entrant Eden Golan was asked to redo her song October Rain, which appeared to be a reference to Hamas launching an attack on Israel in October 2023, and she entered the competition with Hurricane.

The national broadcaster for Israel later claimed its delegation faced ‘an unprecedented display of hatred’ from other countries and their entrants during the competition, after weeks of artists such as Bambie Thug and Years & Years singer Olly being urged by fans to boycott.

The behind-the-scenes drama also saw Italy’s act Angelina Mango and Bambie among contestants speaking out about tensions off-stage.

After taking home the win and breaking their trophy, Nemo blasted Eurovision organisers and took aim at bosses, saying: ‘The trophy can be fixed – maybe Eurovision needs fixing a little bit too, every now and then.’