Overview

• Johannes 'JJ' Pietsch, winner of Eurovision 2025, has publicly urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel from the 2026 contest in Vienna.
• Israel's representative, Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7, 2023 massacre, placed second overall but won the public televote with her song 'New Day Will Rise.'
• The stark divide between jury and public voting results has led Spain's RTVE and other broadcasters to request a formal review of the televoting process.
• The ongoing Gaza conflict, which has claimed over 50,000 lives, has fueled protests and calls from former Eurovision participants, including 70 signatories of an open letter, to bar Israel from future contests.
• EBU Director Martin Green has acknowledged these concerns and pledged discussions with member broadcasters to address transparency and political issues before Eurovision 2026.