Overview

• Yuval Raphael, Israel’s entrant and a survivor of the 2023 Nova festival attack, won the public televote but placed second overall in Eurovision 2025.
• Protests disrupted Raphael’s performance, with activists attempting to storm the stage and throwing paint at a crew member, highlighting the political tensions surrounding Israel’s participation.
• JJ, the Austrian winner, has called for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision 2026, aligning with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and other critics who cite parallels to Russia’s 2022 ban over its invasion of Ukraine.
• Several broadcasters, including those from Spain, Ireland, and Finland, have requested audits or reforms of the televoting system, questioning the transparency of Israel’s public vote success.
• The European Broadcasting Union has pledged to review voting procedures and broadcaster feedback while maintaining its commitment to political neutrality.