Eurovision winner says Israel should be banned from competition

The winner of the 2025 Eurovision contest, JJ, has made an appeal for Israel to be barred from next year’s competition, as the country continues to launch attacks on Gaza, Middle East Eye via Reuters reported on May 22nd.

In an interview published on May 22nd, JJ said to El País: “It is very disappointing to see Israel still participating in the contest. I would like the next Eurovision to be held in Vienna and without Israel.”

Despite the European event allegedly being a politically impartial one, Israel’s inclusion in the competition this year caused a backlash, due to the country’s military activity.

Middle East Eye via Reuters, El País