Israeli government spent over €1M to influence Eurovision voting
An investigation by The New York Times has uncovered that the Israeli government allocated more than €1 million over two years for marketing initiatives aimed at enhancing Eurovision contestants' performances, which led to thousands of votes and changes in regulations by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The approach involved paid YouTube advertisements encouraging viewers to vote up to 20 times per artist until 2025. In 2024, Israel spent over $800,000 (€680,000), resulting in Eden Golan securing fifth place. In 2025, Yuval Raphael achieved second place, with 2,379 voters in Spain utilizing all 20 votes for her. After receiving complaints, the EBU sanctioned rule modifications in December 2025. Five nations chose to boycott the 2026 contest, set to commence on May 12 in Vienna, Austria.
Key facts
- Israel spent over €1 million on Eurovision promotional campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
- The New York Times investigation was conducted by journalists Mara Hvistendahl and Alex Marshall.
- In 2024, Israel invested more than $800,000 (€680,000) from the foreign ministry.
- Eden Golan finished fifth overall and second in public voting in 2024.
- Yuval Raphael finished second overall and first in public voting in 2025.
- In Spain, Raphael received 33.34% of the public vote (47,570 votes) vs. 6.7% for Ziferblat.
- An estimated 2,379 voters casting all 20 votes for Raphael could explain her win in Spain.
- The EBU changed rules: max votes reduced to 10, campaigns by governments banned, juries vote in semifinals.
- Five countries (Spain, Slovenia, Iceland, Netherlands, Ireland) boycotted the 2026 contest.
- Israel's 2026 contestant Noam Bettan released a video urging 10 votes, removed by Eurovision director Martin Green.
- The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Vienna, Austria from May 12-16.
- Doron Medalie said Israel began investing in Eurovision campaigns in 2018, spending over $100,000 on 'Toy'.
Entities
Artists
- Eden Golan
- Yuval Raphael
- Noam Bettan
- Netta Barzilai
- Doron Medalie
- JJ
Institutions
- New York Times
- European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
- Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- KAN (Israeli public broadcaster)
- RTVSLO (Slovenian broadcaster)
- YLE (Finnish broadcaster)
- Rai 2
- Rai 1
- Ziferblat
Locations
- Israel
- Malmö
- Sweden
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Vienna
- Austria
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Slovenia
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Gaza Strip
- Rafah