If you thought the end of the year would also bring an end to the turmoil surrounding Israel’s participation at Eurovision, then you would think wrong. The council of Slovenia’s national broadcaster, RTVSLO, has adopted a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Israel from Eurovision 2025.
At their 12th correspondence session, the council voted on a number of “mandatory guidelines for the management in finalising the financial plan and program-production plan for 2025” — i.e. rules RTVSLO management must follow during the new calendar year.
One of the new mandatory guidelines to be adopted is as follows:
- The management of RTV Slovenia should immediately initiate a request within the EBU for Israel not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. The RTV Council and the public should be kept informed of these efforts.
The council expects RTVSLO management to get in direct contact with Eurovision organisers at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and call for Israel’s removal from the 2025 contest in Basel. Additionally, management must keep the public aware of their correspondence with the EBU, rather than doing it purely behind the scenes.
This is the first instance of a participating broadcaster taking an official stance against Israel’s involvement at Eurovision. It sees RTVSLO coming into alignment with the government of Slovenia, which is one of the few EU member states to have joined the International Court of Justice’s proceedings against Israel.
As Eurovizija.com reports, two other resolutions were also tabled for the same matter. However, these were not adopted by the council.
- The management of RTV Slovenia should immediately initiate a request within the EBU that Israel not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. In the event of Israel’s participation, Slovenia will not participate and will not broadcast the event.
- The management of RTV Slovenia should immediately initiate a request within the EBU that Israel not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. In the event of Israel’s participation, we black out the broadcast of Israel’s performance.
Since the above motions were not passed, it is likely that Slovenia will still participate at Eurovision 2025 even if Israel is also present at the contest.
The blacking-out of any country’s entry is strictly against the rules of the contest. In 2018, China’s Mango TV lost Eurovision broadcasting rights after it censored the Irish and Albanian performances.
There has been no public response yet from the EBU to this motion from RTVSLO. However, organisers have repeatedly affirmed their position over the last year that Israeli broadcaster Kan has the right to participate in Eurovision, noting that the contest must remain apolitical.
Israel was included amongst the list of 38 participating countries for Eurovision 2025 announced last week.
There have been repeated calls from musicians, fans, unions, human rights activists, and other notable figures for Israel’s removal from Eurovision since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. The conflict has seen 45,000 people killed in Gaza, with multiple organisations accusing Israel of committing war crimes and acts of genocide.
The war began when Hamas carried out an attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
What was the result of this?
Reality:
https://youtu.be/f83_6a_Gh5c?si=tQ7xUSnOs2q7NBtO
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HuvKTzhlVpo
Get the baby k11l3rs out of here, not even a european country to begin with
https://youtu.be/vQ7uRmYW99Y?si=J0rF8fJo8MEIAidA
Spread this message now for the new year.
Hopefully the war in the Middle-East and Ukraine are over before May.
<3
Watch until the last moments.
Amen
I honestly definitely agree with RTVSLO, there’s honestly no good reason to let Israel into contest with all of the events between Israel and Palestine taking place with people and children getting killed which is honestly like letting Russia in the contest especially after invading Ukraine and yet the EBU choose to kick Russia out after listening to the complaints but they had the balls let Israel in despite the on-going war between Israel and Palestine just by making their own contest even more political, and for a company who’s trying to make sure they don’t make their own song… Read more »
I can’t wait for KAN’s new song: “The Doctors at Kamal Adwan were Hms We Promise”
Time will prove 2024-5 one of the most disgraceful eras in ESC history. The way the Eurofans have thrown the Israelis under the bus, in their worst year ever, after the worst event in the country’s history – is shameful. I believe in truth and believe it will eventually prevail. The vast propaganda campaign run among the woke echochamber, fueled by the world’s most notorious regimes, will not be a secret for long. I expect this post to recieve lots of hate and scrutiny but at this point guys – it doesn’t matter.
Their worse year ever?! God you are despicable. The worst year ever for people in Deir Al Balah, Jabaliah
Shame on you to even compare your situation.
Disgusting
Disgusting is someone who lives far away and thinks he has all the truth in his pocket and then writes nasty things like this. The fact that you can mention two points on the map doesn’t make you an expert. Tou are merely a victim of you echochamber.
You know NOTHING about me! Absolutely NOTHING!
I have been there I have seen both sides. Israel had a bad year though? You actually serious? Your ignorance is astounding. You are the one who lives in an echo chamber, all is Isreal is an echo chamber. Cry victim some more…
The world watches what is happening. There are many victims. Many innocent and a lot of armoury. People being sacrificed is a terrible crime. But I will not allow someone doing crimes back. Crimes towards humans hardly born. All people are human and deserve respect. It not about rooting for a football team. But staying with innocent peoples lives. Politicians and generals have tge possibility to cherish innocent people before their own ego
Well done for having balls RTVSLO
Eurovision is about peace, cultural diversity and respect. Bit hypocritical to let a country participate who are flagrantly disrespecting that. GTFO
I said all this about Malmo too. More broadcasters need to join them. I for one will be petitioning my broadcaster to do the same.
Did someone say Israel are that fanatical they use burner phones to vote?
Nahhh… They use burner phones to diminish evil which tries to burn others, which you “ckeverly” showing you try to defend.
Since it is apolitical, bring Russia back! They had great songs. Israel isn’t any better!
Setting politics aside, shouldn’t they have done this before confirming their participation?
Like, I get that you’re not comfortable with Israel taking part, but couldn’t they just talk about it before instead of doing these shenanigans?
Just to be clear, I’m not comfortable with Israel taking part, either
Thank you, Slovenia. K¡IIers of children should not be allowed to participate!
Can we not make a circus out of Eurovision for a consecutive year just because we want to bring world politics into a NON-political song contest?
there are specific places to talk about politics, Eurovision is not one of them.
Let’s be honest, most of the people that complain don’t do anything for the cause, they just love to showcase performative activism by complaining to Eurovision yet they wont donate a cent or do anything outside their cozy homes to actually help those that need it.
Humanity transcends politics!
If the time you spend on a Eurovision blog you would use to donate to those in need and actually go to your governmental societies to raise awareness maybe you will actually help people, whining on wiwiblogs or eurovision ain’t going to save no one.
The problem is that Israel uses Eurovision as a propaganda tool. Far right politicians all over the world do the same, they order their minions to vote for Israel no matter which song they send (most of them don’t even watch the show). The Israeli delegation uses the classic zionist tactic of poking and harassing until someone responds and then say: look! We’re being assaulted! All of that combined makes Israel’s participation a blemish on the competition. Everyone would be better off if they would just stay home for a year or two (or if they don’t kill thousands of… Read more »
Wether Israel participates in Eurovision or not is not going to make a difference, by bringing politics into the contest you are serving Israel in a silver platter what they want, attention should be driven to donating to those that need and speaking with governmental bodies that will actually make a difference, Eurovision cannot change world politics and will not save anyone.
In your idea you have all the answers. You don’t know who is donating to whom and when. Most decisions in ESC have political undertones. Right wing and authoritarian governments wants to use the competition for their own cause. Franco did. A lot of others will follow him
Musica, I agree 100000% with your comment.
Owning most of the world’s media allows them to direct their spotlight to the areas they require, then when they poke and goad to get a reaction, they document it and use the reaction as way of gaining sympathy and power. It’s vile.
Burner phones, bots in comments sections……the manipulation and buffoonery goes on.
Perhaps its not surprising that the entire contest is sponsored and endorsed by an Israeli brand.
Another “clever” ho-wise one that missinforms even about controlling worldwide media, “cleverly” showing antagonizm even towards all Jews, and criticize burning phone used on extreme violent fan atics who actually try to control the world by hurting innocents including using and abusing and killing their own civilians.
watch Ireland and Norway jump on the wagon … weren’t the new guidelines put in place to avoid such shenanigans?
Hopefully they do. Israel shouldn’t be allowed in until they learn respect and get rid of their facist regime.
bruh not this again. let them participate. it’s music
If they let Israel participate because it’s music, they should also allow Russia to participate. Conversely, if Russia is not allowed to participate, Israel shouldn’t either
Heck No! This contest is turning into a farce with the inclusion of Israel.
Love live peace peace while allowing child k!llers to participate is very hypocritical
By your logic Russia shouldn’t have been banned. Either you apply the same rules for everyone or you don’t. And don’t get me started as Russia doesn’t even indiscriminately target civilians as Israel does.
Wondering what will this approach by Slovenia about Israel before the EB U will result in. This very ar ticl e mentions the b roa d ca ster, its co uncil, its ma nag ement and the g vm nt of Slovenia. There is talk about an “alignment” which *may* or *may not* mean *an alle ged* “understanding” of sorts per my opinion of the wording. Curiously there’s been so much c ri ti ci sm about alleged involvement or inte rfer ence by non European g vm nts into their respective broadcasters’ op era tions and such. It beggars… Read more »
It makes sense to me. Slovenia are a member of the European Broadcasting Union… unions exist to represent the concerns of their members.
Is “simple minds” a song or a band or something else?
Do you think the actions of the IDF have been proportionate, Whisker?
And anyway, what’s all that in a world of “steel and iron”?
Whisker, do you condone everything that Netanyahu is doing?
Steel and iron, gold, bronze and light, life, eternity, music and love.
Nonsense. Tired of these same 3 countries striving for attention. Stirring drama won’t improve your results.
Will Jonathan also list how many Pa lest inians have been killed by Israel which is 50 times the amount and counting?
Yes. He did, read it again.
I love Slovenia. Such a forward thinking nation with courage that most others in Europe sadly lack.
Awesome news! Thank you Slovenia for helping us with another top-5 in 2025!
Slovenia can “protest” all they want. Jews and Israelis have the right to life too. And to security. And the right to defend themselves.
What Israel and Jews don’t have the right to do is cleanse an entire population. Got it?
Nobody disputes that!
All human lives are equal. A Palestinian child is worthy of existing no less than an Israeli child.
Jews are not the same as Israelis. Many Jews have condemned Israel, and rightfully so.
Ok under the new code of conduct, RTVSLO gets a fine for being the first (in 2025 edition) to bring politics into the contest. Any and all broadcasters or acts bringing politics into the contest need to be reprimanded.
Slovenia are bringing human rights and dignity back in the contest. Your mob is bringing chaos and disorder every year and we are sick of it.
Yeah… no.
Hvala, ne.
It will be the same as last year… maybe even worse, because the war is bigger now, I’m not looking forward to the controversy.
We only can keep dreaming of a world without war…
“War” is too generous a word for what’s happening in Gaza.
Broadcasters should be either accept KAN’s participation or stay at home in the first place. No drama, please.
Because you say so? You are aware that the country KAN broadcasts from are up on International Criminal Charges.
That’s not of the EBU’s concern
Exactly.
The EBU should bend every rule on their books to allow Palestine into the contest next year.
With Moroccan Oil as their main sponsor, this will unfortunately never happen.
Easy Jet an airline sponsor, should be dropped as they’ve been planned to fly to Israel.
Royal Caribbean also visibly support Israel.
And while you’re at it, stop using your phone which has chips developed by Israelis.
There you go! They did whatever they wanted in 2024…
They need to replace the cruise line and the airlines sponsor to be fair. Swiss Airlines would’ve been useful instead of Easy/Sleazy Jet and should’ve been removed.
How so? They don’t meet any of the ITU nor of the Council of Europe. That’s even if they were a fully global recognized state. So what you’re saying is that you want to make it a political contest, right?
Yes. Why not exactly?
We should use every tool we have to prevent evil.
Palestine took part in the Olympics this year, don’t forget…
If we could see artists like Elyanna, Zeyne, Llunr, or Saint Levant on the Eurovision stage, I would probably faint of happiness
“It’s a contest for broadcasters, not governments” said the EBU last year. That excuse won’t cut it this year. KAN have not been covering events fairly. They must go.
Examples?
Many!
Before Ireland’s song, they were calling on people to boo them. Before Ukraine’s song, they said “looks like their war’s getting boring so they have to send a good song this time.” Need more examples?
Be patient guys. Israel may be in this year but with the possible privatisation of KAN, the country will be out in the near future.
Private broadcasters can be members of the EBU too, though.
I think Slovenia should stay home. We don’t need them.
They should stay at home, great idea. Ljubljana 2026!
Yes. Then they can have their own contest
Who’s we?
All non-drama queens 😉
If you guys thought eurovision 2024 was bad just wait for 2025 if Israel participates. The world has and will only become more tense and an artist willing to represent the Netamyahu regime is kinda deserving of everything that comes their way.
100+
Israel deserve every bit of hate they are getting
because?
Netanyahu*
Didn’t realise Angelina Mango was a representative of the Meloni regime.. shouldn’t she have gotten more hate because of that too?
If the meloni regime decides to Gê 0ç?de the italian alps upcoming winter then the next italian representative who represents the country as a whole will not be able to look away from that.
I wonder will Israel send another propaganda song again this year?
When did they do that?
lol ?
same controversial ballad as Hurricane, yup i think so as well
A dance track by a hot boy and you will be surprised how many people get sidetracked
I also hope Israel wins Eurovision next year, so most of the people here will self combust.
There is no self-combust but that would be the end of Eurovision. Now as the genocide is a fact instead of hypothesis, who would actually participate?
That says more about you than the people here. If it’s “most” of us, that just suggests the issue is with you.
Read the room
If Israel wins then people will stop watching Eurovision.
I hope the Ukraine war will end and Russia can come back
Even if war ends russia is not coming back that easily
Sad 🙁
You like war criminals or what ?
I hope Iceland will do the same statement.
They made a fool of themselves this year with all their drama. In the end they decided to take, and so they will in 2025.
Hope Ireland too x
Hopefully RUV and RTE will say to replace the airline sponsor to be “Swiss Airlines”.
Will you not comment that Kan might be out of EBU because of a new law in Israel. EBU has warned about this
If They Ban To Israel Its Anti Semetic Behaviour And EBU Must Be Investigated For This Racistic Crimes
Rules are rules, only PUBLIC broadcasters allowed, and Israeli government sabotaged itself by approving the bill to privatise KAN.
Hmm. Ok. This is the kind of statement I’ve heard from both government officials and also from the public broadcaster Kan. Anti semitism is a real thing and it’s a serious treat against people every day. But if you start using this word about anything that you don’t like then the word looses its value completely. If you have rules and then one does not follow the rules, then you act accordingly with the rules. Letting some countries pass, despite breaking the rules is discriminating or removing them from the EBU despite following the rules would also be discrimination. A… Read more »
Can you outline exactly how it is antisemitism to hold every country accountable to the same rules? Should Israel have special treatment?
Will never happen! Thankfully 🙂 Israel is in – haters should just get over it and accept
Agree!! Israel is not going away
I agree with you. Hysterical socalled fans, who only make drama, should be banned from Eurovision, and then all others can have a great party.
You sound like a nazi
Your mama who raised and educated YOU is probably one.
The fact that you reduce people not wanting a nation currently committing geno cide to participate in Eurovision to “haters” is crazy, do you not read the news or know anything about what is happening in the world? Ignorant.
“The first participating broadcaster to take an official stance” as per the excerpt? Is it that several broadcasters are planning to g ang up on Israel?
Not necessarily. But no broadcaster has done it before. Only musicians and other public people.
Slovenia’s bold stand against Israel’s Eurovision participation speaks volumes for Palestinian lives silenced by conflict. By choosing humanity over harmony, they remind us that no song can drown out the cries of the oppressed. This powerful message challenges us all to look beyond the glitter and face the harsh realities of injustice on the global stage. ?????
The *only* place you won’t find Jews in is hxll.
Jews don’t believe in hell, if I’m not mistaken.
I think that was Whisker’s point. Hell is not really a thing in Judaism.
Well done RTVSLO.
They are pathetic. Slovenia should stay home
Good for them, but unless Slovenia (and others) actually put their money where their mouth is, then nothing will happen I’m afraid.
Things will only change if we see withdrawals, or if other international organisations (UEFA for example) start taking action against Israel.
And never forget, the EBU was absolutely fine with Russia taking part after the Ukraine invasion, they only took action when they were shamed into it. Do not trust the EBU to do the right thing.
Not surprising. Slovenia recognized the State of Palestine last June. I remember after the contest RTVSLO called for more transparency with how the voting was conducted.
Hopefully more broadcasters follow suit. With more pressure and with the potential privatization of KAN we might see Israel banned from the contest soon.
Let’s hope so.
I hope that privatization bill doesn’t get passed and made into law because I am afraid of a chain reaction of stupid lawmakers in other EBU countries taking the Israeli government’s cue and wanting to present similar privatization bills to their broadcasters. Can you imagine that? That could lead to the dissolution of the EBU if there are no more public broadcasters and thereby no more Eurovision. Be careful what you wish for.
Norway, Spain, and Ireland also recognize Palestine… anyone else?
Because it’s so humane and revolutionary to entertain the idea of another Arab-Muslim country in the middle east at the expense of the only Jewish state in the world <3
Give me a break.
Please, that Jewish state was created at the expense of under a million Palestinians. Try again.
So where should the Israelis go?
How about EBU barred Slovenia since they are supposed to participate in an apolitical event taking place in Switzerland? They are stirring the brown glob already.
Eurovision stopped being apolitical as soon as they removed Russia and Belarus for political reasons, Israel should not get preferential treatment imo
Russia and Belarus weren’t removed for political reasons, they were removed because their broadcasters refused to obey the rules of the EBU. Enough with the hypocrisy please.
Yes. But many broadcasters have broken EBU rules before (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus, Russia etc.) to remove them from the EBU was also connected to the war.
IsHEIL has also broken the rules of the EBU multiple times last year with their war propaganda lyrics
Being apolitical is such a privilege if you’re people are not actively being killed.
Yep! Politics + music = mismatch!
D i a m onds, lion of G-d, lion’s cub … <3 <3 <3
Good! Kudos to Slovenia! Ban the g3n0c¡ders!
Politically correct rubbish! Those liking your comment know nothing!
We know exactly what’s going on because we don’t just listen to right wing Zion azi propaganda
Eh, here we go again…
yes with the same outcome, Israel will again win the televote
although a shame it’ll be with a ballad, rather than a fun entry from for example Balkan Beat Box, also corruption much that they have to go with that talent show rather than internal (talent show doesn’t appeal to bigger names at all)
It’s day 442 and 100 khatufim are still missing from their families, loved ones and communities but not from our hearts.
They could be back tomorrow if Netanyahu wanted
Yes it’s terrible and yes Netanyahu could have brought them back months and months ago and more would be alive . The increíble thing is the utter lack of empathy amongst all pro Israel posters for 45000 dead at least a third children in Gaza.
It’s day 442 and more than 44.000 Palestinians are gone forever from their families, loved ones and their communities.