Israeli diplomats lobbied to keep Israel in Eurovision amid boycott threats
Last fall and winter, high-ranking Israeli diplomats reached out to European officials and broadcasters to avert Israel's potential exclusion from the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. This effort was prompted by threats from broadcasters to boycott the event due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with some alleging that Israel was manipulating outcomes through a large-scale voting initiative. This previously undisclosed diplomatic maneuver was part of a wider strategy by the Israeli government to enhance its global image through the contest. Meanwhile, Iceland and four other nations chose to boycott the 2026 competition, which commenced on Tuesday, in protest of Israel's involvement. The European Broadcasting Union, which oversees the contest, is currently facing significant financial difficulties, marking the most severe crisis in Eurovision's 70-year history. Yuval Raphael represented Israel in 2025 with the song "New Day Will Rise."
Key facts
- Senior Israeli diplomats contacted European broadcasters to keep Israel in Eurovision.
- Broadcasters threatened to boycott over the war in Gaza.
- Israel was accused of influencing results through a mass voting campaign.
- The diplomatic push was previously undisclosed.
- Iceland and four other countries boycotted the 2026 competition.
- The 2026 competition started on Tuesday.
- The European Broadcasting Union faces financial challenges.
- Yuval Raphael performed 'New Day Will Rise' in 2025.
Entities
Artists
- Yuval Raphael
Institutions
- European Broadcasting Union
- Reuters
- United Nations
- Iceland's national broadcaster
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Europe
- Iceland
- Israel
- Gaza