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, saying: "According to the UN, more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza, over 15,000 of them children. This is not a statement against any country, but a call for peace, justice, and respect for human rights."
The move came after RTVE aired a bilingual on-screen message before the final began, saying: "When it comes to human rights, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine."
This public stance followed weeks of mounting pressure in Spain for Eurovision organisers to suspend Israel’s participation due to its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
The EBU, which maintains strict rules against political statements during broadcasts, issued a letter to RTVE warning of financial penalties if such comments were repeated during the final. The organisation argued that referring to casualty numbers in Gaza violates Eurovision’s requirement for political neutrality.
Israel’s 2025 contestant, Yuval Raphael, performed amid both cheers and boos. British host Graham Norton acknowledged the split, saying: "Slightly mixed response here in the hall."
Across Basel, tensions boiled over. Hundreds of protesters gathered near the St. Jakobshalle arena, where the final was held, waving Palestinian flags and chanting "No Music for Murder" and "Singing while Gaza burns".
Demonstrators held banners and lit red and green flares as riot police blocked access to the venue. Clashes erupted after individuals waving Israeli flags approached the crowd, prompting Swiss police to use tear gas and water cannons.
One protester, covered in red paint, held a doll resembling a bloodied child, symbolising the thousands of children killed in Gaza. The protest marked the peak of a week of demonstrations across Basel.
Public anger has grown over Israel’s presence at Eurovision while a humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in Gaza, and where Israel’s bombardment has killed at least 53,000 people, most of them women and children.
Earlier in April, RTVE formally asked the EBU to open a discussion about Israel’s participation, citing widespread public concern in Spain. The call was backed by broadcasters from Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and Belgium. Belgium’s national broadcaster even aired a pro-Palestine advert before the first semi-final.
Adding to the pressure, over 70 Eurovision alumni, including Spain’s Blanca Paloma and Portugal’s Salvador Sobral, signed an open letter demanding Israel’s suspension from the competition.
RTVE’s internal news councils condemned the EBU’s warning as censorship, adding: "We stand by the right of our presenters to speak freely and responsibly. We reject interference and reaffirm RTVE’s commitment to truthful reporting, especially on major international events."
Meanwhile, Israeli security officials warned their citizens attending the event in Switzerland to keep a low profile amid fears of backlash.
Israel’s participation comes as international legal pressure mounts. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.