Eurovision’s glittery stage just got a geopolitical spotlight—and this year’s sequins came with serious shade. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has accused the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of playing favorites after it allowed Israel to compete in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest while Russia remains banned for its actions in Ukraine. For Sanchez, it’s a glaring double standard—and he’s not lip-syncing his opinion.
“Solidarity with the Palestinian people” was the Spanish PM’s motive behind his call to disqualify Israel. According to Sanchez, it’s hypocritical for EBU to freeze out one aggressor but roll out the rainbow carpet for another. This comes hot on the heels of Israel’s Yuval Raphael scoring a staggering 297 public votes—twelve of them maximum points from thirteen countries. With tensions in Gaza still boiling, Spanish broadcaster RTVE isn’t buying the results—and they’re not alone.
RTVE has formally demanded the EBU reassess Eurovision’s current voting system, arguing that conflicts like Gaza’s war distort results. “The goal is to ensure the competition remains fair and reflects actual musical taste, not political agendas,” a RTVE source insisted. Word is, other broadcasters are queuing behind the scenes to support the shake-up.
A Mic Drop With a Message
While Eurovision has long clung to the mantra that “music unites,” RTVE took a bold leap into politics. Ahead of Saturday’s final, Spain’s national broadcaster broadcasted a pro-Palestinian message—despite being explicitly warned not to. In a striking defiance, they aired: “In the face of human rights, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine.”
It followed an earlier comment from hosts Julia Varela and Tony Aguilar stating that Israeli attacks in Gaza had killed over 50,000 people, including more than 15,000 children—a statistic cited from the United Nations. The EBU promptly issued RTVE a formal warning after the semi-final, but Spain clearly had more to say.
Now, with broadcasters like Spain pushing back and openly questioning the EBU’s “neutral” stance, the contest’s apolitical mask is slipping. Sources within the EBU claim the matter will be “taken seriously” and discussed in the next management committee meeting. But among Eurovision’s massive LGBTQ+ fanbase, the fallout is already sparking debate.
When Pride Meets Protest
For many queer fans, Eurovision isn’t just a song contest—it’s a celebration of identity, freedom, and visibility. But when war, occupation, and politics step into that spotlight, the glitter can turn into glare. Spain’s protest may divide viewers, but it resonates with LGBTQ+ audiences who’ve long seen themselves in struggles against silencing and state power.
Eurovision has historically been a safe haven for queer expression, often broadcasting voices from communities where being LGBTQ+ is still criminalized. But that celebration of inclusion risks losing its luster if the platform ignores real-world injustices. The call to reevaluate voting systems is not just about ballots and rankings—it’s about maintaining credibility in a competition that prides itself on equality.
And let’s face it: when even Eurovision starts sounding like a UN session, you know the drama’s not just about who hit the high note—it’s about who gets heard at all.