US EditionSpain Airs Anti-Israel Message About Gaza Ahead of Eurovision Finale
- Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE aired a pro-Palestinian message before the Eurovision 2025 final in Basel, Switzerland on May 17, 2025.
- This followed RTVE’s earlier message during the second semifinal, despite a formal warning from the European Broadcasting Union prohibiting political statements at the contest.
- The message referenced United Nations data reporting over 50,000 fatalities in Gaza, including more than 15,000 children, and emphasized that remaining quiet on human rights matters is unacceptable.
- Israel’s contestant Yuval Raphael, who survived the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack by hiding under a dead body, placed second amid mixed reactions including cheers and boos.
- The controversy raised enforcement questions for the EBU, potential sanctions for RTVE, and calls within Spain and other countries to reconsider Israel’s participation given public concern about the Gaza conflict.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Spanish TV in serious violation at Eurovision
In an unashamed and aggressive breach of the European Broadcasting Union’s (who manage the Eurovision Song Contest) protocol, the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE aired pro-Palestinian messages during the Eurovision Song Contest, leading to a formal warning and threats of financial penalties. The controversy began during the second semifinal when Spanish commentators Julia Varela and Tony Aguilar… Source
Spain airs pro-Palestine message during Eurovision broadcast
Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE defied warnings from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) by airing a pro-Palestinian message during the live Eurovision Song Contest 2025 final in Basel, Switzerland. Despite the EBU’s threats of sanctions and a formal letter warning against political commentary, Spanish hosts Julia Varela and Tony Aguilar spoke out during the broadcast. They spoke about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for peace, sayi…
"As far as human rights are concerned, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine," wrote the radio and television group RTVE, in a message in Spanish and English, a few seconds before the official start of the song contest.
Seconds before Israel took the stage in the Eurovision final, the Spanish television channel RTVE broadcast a pro-Palestinian message to its viewers, writes El Pais.
"As far as human rights are concerned, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine," wrote the RTVE radio and television group in white on a black background, in a message a few seconds before the official start of the competition.
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