Former Eurovision contestants call for Israel's exclusion over Gaza conflict and double standards

More than 70 former Eurovision contestants have signed an open letter calling for Israel and its national broadcaster, Kan, to be banned from the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.

The letter, addressed to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), condemns Israel’s actions in Gaza and demands the same treatment for Israel as was given to Russia in 2022, when it was expelled from the competition.

Among the signatories are British musician Mae Muller, Irish Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, and Portuguese singer Fernando Tordo. The letter accuses Israel of committing "genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza" and maintaining a "decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation" against the Palestinian people. It also references the ongoing war in Gaza, where over 50,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The letter also highlights the controversy surrounding last year’s Eurovision, where Israel’s Eden Golan participated amidst the backdrop of Israel's air strikes on Gaza. Golan’s performance in the 2024 competition finished in fifth place, despite widespread protests and a petition signed by over 56,000 people calling for Israel’s exclusion.

For the 2025 edition, Israeli entrant Yuval Raphael is set to perform "New Day Will Rise" in the final in Basel, Switzerland, on May 17. However, the letter’s signatories argue that Israel's participation is a direct contradiction to the EBU’s decision to ban Russia from the contest due to its invasion of Ukraine. The musicians claim that there should not be a "double standard" when it comes to Israel’s actions, with 2010 Malta contestant Thea Garrett saying, “You bomb, you’re out.”

The EBU has yet to respond to the letter, and the situation is already stirring debate within the music and entertainment industries. The letter calls on the EBU to act swiftly, warning that failing to do so would risk further tarnishing the festival's credibility.

The call for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision comes amidst broader boycotts, with artists such as Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead and Israeli musician Dudu Tassa canceling performances due to pro-Palestinian protests.