More than 70 former Eurovision contestants have signed an open letter calling on organizers to ban Israel and its public broadcaster, Kan, from the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.
The letter, addressed to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), accuses Israel of committing “genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people.” It argues that by allowing Israel to take part, the EBU is “normalizing and whitewashing its crimes.”
Among the 72 signatories are former Eurovision winners Charlie McGettigan of Ireland (1994), Salvador Sobral of Portugal (2017) and Fernando Tordo of Portugal (1973). British singer Mae Muller, who competed in 2023, French singer La Zarra, Turkish performer Hadise Açıkgöz and last year’s participants Ásdís María of Iceland and GÅTE of Norway also signed.
The letter describes the 2024 contest, held in Sweden, as “the most politicised, chaotic and unpleasant in the competition’s history.”
“As singers, songwriters, musicians and others who have had the privilege of participating in Eurovision, we urge the EBU and all its member broadcasters to act now and prevent further discredit and disruption to the festival: Israel must be excluded from Eurovision,” the letter states.
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In response to boycott calls, the EBU said it is “aware of concerns surrounding the conflict in the Middle East” and is in regular contact with participating broadcasters.
Israel’s 2025 representative is Yuval Raphael, 24, a survivor of the October 7 attacks. She is set to perform “New Day Will Rise,” written and composed by Keren Peles and produced by Tomer Biran.
Public broadcasters in several European countries, including Spain’s RTVE, have raised concerns over Israel’s participation. Iceland and Slovenia have also voiced objections in recent months.