Antisemitism burned as Israel struck back
Despite Spain’s PM Calling for Ban, Israel’s Yuval Raphael Takes 2nd Place at Eurovision
Israel faced intense antisemitic criticism during Eurovision 2025, with calls for its exclusion and accusations of vote manipulation, yet Yuval Raphael’s performance soared her to second place. Her success, amidst protests and political backlash, highlighted the strength and unity of the Jewish people on a global stage.
Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, was marred by a wave of antisemitic rhetoric, yet Yuval Raphael’s remarkable second-place finish with her song “New Day Will Rise” stood as a testament to resilience and unity.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for Israel’s exclusion from the competition, drawing a parallel to Russia’s ban following its invasion of Ukraine. “If they demanded that Russia not participate after the invasion of Ukraine, Israel should not participate either,” Sánchez declared, adding, “We cannot afford double standards, not even in the cultural sphere.”
His remarks, reported by Ynet and The Jerusalem Post, came despite the Spanish public awarding Israel’s entry the highest audience vote of 12 points, highlighting a stark disconnect between grassroots support and political posturing.
Further fueling the controversy, Finland’s contestant Erika Vikman questioned the legitimacy of Israel’s audience votes, stating, “I think the votes are unfair, I read that Israel engineered many votes.”
Her baseless claim echoed broader attempts to delegitimize Israel’s success, which saw Raphael earn 357 points, second only to Austria.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) also targeted Spain for referencing Gaza casualties during Raphael’s semi-final “postcard” broadcast, warning of “punitive fines” if such actions recurred. Defiantly, Spain’s broadcaster aired a slide during the final stating, “When it comes to human rights, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine,” prompting further EBU scrutiny.
Despite this hostility, including protests burning Israeli flags and a thwarted stage intrusion during Raphael’s performance, her multilingual anthem united audiences across Europe.
The Jewish people’s solidarity shone through, as Raphael’s outfit, speculated to honor the Bibas family, resonated deeply. Her triumph, lauded by President Isaac Herzog as representing “the beautiful voice of the people of Israel,” defied the hate, proving that art and unity can prevail over prejudice on a global stage.
Sources: Information compiled from Ynet, The Jerusalem Post, and EBU statements
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