Eurovision Song Contest

AOAV analysis of Eurovision voting data from 2016-2025 suggests Israel experienced an unprecedented post-October 7 surge in public televote support, despite collapsing jury backing, raising questions about political mobilisation, diaspora voting and the use of entertainment platforms as signals of international legitimacy. The post Eurovision’s Israel Televote surge in last two years raises questions over political mobilisation appeared first on AOAV.

The Spanish prime minister on Friday defended his country’s decision not to participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, saying Spain could not remain silent over Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, Anadolu reports. Pedro Sanchez, in a video message shared on the US social media platform X, said Spain’s absence from the competition reflects its commitment to human rights and international law. “This year will be different,” Sanchez said, recalling Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE’s decis

National broadcaster RTÉ accused of antisemitism for decision to screen satirical 1996 Eurovision episode in boycott of contest It is considered one of the funniest episodes of a beloved sitcom, but the Father Ted storyline about Eurovision has been dragged into the row over Israel’s participation in this week’s song contest. Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, which is boycotting the competition in protest against Israel’s inclusion, will instead broadcast the 1996 episode A Song for Europe,

Thomas Porte, a member of the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party and its MEP Rima Hassan on Thursday slammed the Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s participation in the competition, Anadolu Agency reports. “How can Eurovision continue to present itself as a celebration of peace, unity, and fraternity while offering a platform to a state accused of the gravest crimes under humanitarian and international law, and which is perpetuating the first filmed genocide of the 21st century?” lawma