Spanish PM Calls for Israel’s Ban at Eurovision Over Gaza Conflict

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has demanded that Israel be excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest due to the current military action in Gaza. In a statement issued at the news conference in Madrid, Sánchez underscored the necessity of consistency during international competitions, citing Russia’s suspension from Eurovision after invading Ukraine in 2022. Sánchez stated that Israel would not be treated any differently because of its military operations in Gaza, as he believed that “double standards” must not be practiced in cultural competitions.

Solidarity with Palestine and Criticism of Israel

Sánchez likewise affirmed solidarity with the Palestinian people who are being bombed and attacked. “None of us complained when Russia was suspended from international competitions after invading Ukraine. So Israel must be suspended too, because what we allowed is not double standards in culture,” Sánchez affirmed. The Prime Minister has been a critic of Israel, and recently he called the nation a “genocidal state” while speaking in Spain’s Congress, which sparked criticism from Israeli leaders.

Israel Reacts to Spanish PM Sánchez’s Criticism

In response to Sánchez’s comments, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli ridiculed the Spanish Prime Minister, referring to the Eurovision vote as a “slap in the face” for Sánchez. The comment was posted on social media, again underscoring the political tensions between the two countries. Israel’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Spanish ambassador to a formal rebuke over Sánchez’s “serious comments,” and Israel has vigorously rejected allegations of genocide.

Israel’s Solid Show in Eurovision

Even amidst the political tensions, Israel had a solid performance in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday when it ended up in second position, leading the public vote. Israeli entry New Day Will Rise by Yuval Raphael received a maximum 12 points from Spanish viewers. Spain’s state broadcaster, RTVE, which broadcast a solidarity message to Palestinians before the Eurovision final, has since called for the audit of votes. The message was delivered in defiance of warnings by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) against making direct mentions of Gaza.

Spain’s representation, Esa Diva by Melody, placed 24th, a long way from the leadership posts. The debate concerning Sánchez’s remarks and Israel’s participation in the contest rages on, though Eurovision organizers, the EBU, have refused to release an official statement regarding the same.