The head of Israel’s public broadcaster pushed back Monday against calls to exclude Israel from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, after several countries threatened to boycott the competition if Israel takes part.
Golan Yochpaz, CEO of Kan Public Broadcasting Corporation, addressed the controversy for the first time during the launch of the broadcaster’s new programming schedule in Tel Aviv. “Since the corporation was established, Israel has been one of the most successful participants in Eurovision,” he said. “There is no reason Israel should not continue to be a significant part of this cultural event, which must never under any circumstances become political.”
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Yuval Raphael performs for Israel during the Eurovision Song Contest 2025
(Photo: Gil Nechushtan)
The dispute has escalated in recent weeks. The Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia have formally declared they would withdraw if Israel competes, while Spain’s culture minister also urged a boycott if Israel participates.
On Sunday, Ynet revealed details of an informal proposal said to have been floated to Israeli officials: that Israel step aside for a year, or alternatively, appear under a neutral flag while Kan issued a statement distancing itself from government and military actions. The suggestion, according to those behind it, could defuse the crisis.
Israeli officials said no such proposal has been formally received, and Kan dismissed the idea. The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the contest, also distanced itself, saying it had not put forward any such arrangement.
Israel has competed in Eurovision since 1973, winning the contest four times, most recently in 2018 with Netta Barzilai’s Toy.