Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday called for Israel to be excluded from international cultural events such as the Eurovision Song Contest, citing what he described as “the injustice of war and bombardment” in Gaza.
Speaking at an event in Madrid, Sanchez drew a parallel to Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “We cannot allow double standards, not even in culture,” said the Socialist leader and long-time critic of Israeli policies. “No one was shocked when Russia was asked to withdraw from international competitions after it invaded Ukraine. Therefore, Israel should not participate either.”
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez; Israeli Eurovision contestant Yuval Raphael
(Photo: Borja Puig de la BELLACASA / LA MONCLOA / AFP, Gil Nechushtan)
The remarks came in the wake of widespread protests against Israel’s participation in this month’s Eurovision finals in Basel, Switzerland, where Austria’s JJ won the competition and Israel’s Yuval Raphael won the televote.
Despite Eurovision’s stated commitment to political neutrality, controversy surrounded Israel’s presence. Ahead of the final, Spanish public broadcaster RTVE aired a message supporting Palestinians, defying warnings from Eurovision organizers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to avoid references to the Gaza war. RTVE had previously written to the EBU requesting a debate on Israel’s participation, citing growing concerns from Spanish civil society.
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Sanchez, whose government formally recognized a Palestinian state last year alongside Ireland and Norway, also reiterated his call for international accountability. He announced plans for Spain to submit a proposal to the United Nations General Assembly urging the International Court of Justice to examine Israel’s compliance with its humanitarian obligations, particularly regarding aid access to Gaza.
On Saturday, during an Arab League summit in Baghdad, Sanchez called for increased global pressure on Israel to end what he described as “the massacre in Gaza.” He extended “a supportive embrace for the people of Ukraine and the people of Palestine who are experiencing the injustice of war and bombardment.”
Coverage of Yuval Raphael at Eurovision on Spanish television
Israel’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Sanchez’s comments. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking on Monday, said Israel intends to maintain control over the entire Gaza Strip, as part of its campaign to dismantle Hamas’ military and governmental infrastructure.
Sanchez also criticized what he called a “bland, silent, equidistant cultural sector,” calling on artists to take a stand in defense of democracy and peace. Last year, Spain halted weapons exports to Israel and urged the European Union to do the same.