Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest, often shortened to just Eurovision, is a major annual music competition.

The contest, organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), sees countries from across Europe and beyond - including Israel, Azerbaijan and Australia - submit an original song and select an artist to perform the song in a live television and radio broadcast.

The competition has been held almost every year (barring 2020) since 1956 and is extremely popular around the world, and has helped launch the careers of some of the world's most iconic musical artists.

Overall, the songs tend to be cheerful and the event prides itself on being apolitical, though it has come under criticism for some controversies in the past.

Iran angered by Israel’s Eurovision success - opinion

The Iranian regime was enraged by Azerbaijan’s “douze points” to Israel.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise," during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025
 YUVAL RAPHAEL and  Elphaba in ‘Wicked.’ Kindred spirits.

Yuval Raphael's Eurovision rise echoes Elphaba's defiance in Wicked - opinion

 YUVAL RAPHAEL, enveloped by an Israeli flag at the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, was also enveloped by the Israeli people.

My Word: Yuval Raphael shines at Eurovision despite international political clashes

 Yuval Raphael performing at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, May 2025.

Yuval Raphael performs 'New Day will Rise' for hostage families at Hostages Square


Iran launches attack on Azerbaijan-Israel ties: ‘Two nations, one state’

Fars News Agency, closely affiliated with the IRGC, used Eurovision to highlight Baku’s growing ties with Israel and amplify anti-Israel rhetoric.

 Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov (L), visits Israel to open the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tel Aviv, meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu (R) in West Jerusalem on March 29, 2023.

Austria’s Eurovision winner says he hopes Israel will be excluded next year

We’ve seen sore losers with this year’s Eurovision, and now there’s a sore winner; Austria's JJ.

 JJ, Austria's victorious representative at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision head defends vote system that gave Israel first place in televotes

“The televoting system currently used in Eurovision is considered the most advanced in the world today," Eurovision director said.

 Yuval Raphael in the Eurovision final.

Spanish PM claims Israel's Eurovision participation shows EBU's double standard

Sanchez's calls to disqualify Israel from Eurovision were out of the need to "show solidarity with the Palestinian people."

 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2025.

Katz thanks Azerbaijan for mediating with Turkey amid the start of Israel-Syria relations

Turkish-Israel relations worsened during the war, but since both took parts of Syria in December 2024, they seek deconfliction to avoid military clashes there.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz attends a cabinet meeting, December 2019.

Yuval Raphael to perform in Nova community memorial concert in Tel Aviv

Following her triumphant performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel over the weekend, Yuval Raphael will share her talents with a home audience.

 Yuval Raphael at the Eurovision final, May 17, 2025.

Yuval Raphael is a symbol of Israel's astonishing resilience - editorial

Maybe people were simply voting for the song and the performance, not expressing any deeper political sentiment. Either way, we have reason to feel proud.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise," during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025

We’re big in Europe: Why Israel won the Eurovision audience vote - analysis

This is the third year in a row that popular votes for Israel vastly outstripped the number of votes it received from the national juries.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise," during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025

Spanish RTVE breaks EBU rules with pro-Palestinian message 

RTVE was given a formal warning by the EBU after its message during the second semifinal of Eurovision, but decided to double down before the broadcast of the grand final. 

ISRAEL’S REPRESENTATIVE to the Eurovision Song Contest, Yuval Raphael, waves to a crowd in Basel this week.

Yuval Raphael: 'There will be no real victory without the hostages'

The 24-year-old Nova festival survivor said that she felt the spirit of Israel came across plainly in the song.

 Yuval Raphael qualified for the Eurovision final in the second semi final on Thursday night.

Sirens sound across Israel as Israel takes second place in Eurovision

Saturday night's sirens came after the IDF struck two Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen that were used to transfer weapons.

 Ultra Orthodox Jews celebrating the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer run to a public shelter as a siren alerts of incoming missile attack, in Bnei Brak on May 15, 2025.