Eurovision Song Contest

Netherlands to return to Eurovision 2027 after boycotting Israel’s participation

Dutch broadcaster NPO confirmed the Netherlands will compete in Eurovision 2027 after AVROTROS withdrew from the 2026 contest over Israel’s participation.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.
A man holds Irish and Palestinian flags as people protest calling for governments around the world to stop arming Israel during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Dublin, Ireland, June 15, 2024

Ireland will not participate in 2027 Eurovision, broadcaster announces, citing situation in Gaza

RTÉ also stated that it remains "deeply concerned by the continued denial of independent access to international journalists to the territory."

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A general view during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest at Wiener Stadthalle on May 16, 2026 in Vienna, Austria.

Dutch public broadcaster pulls out of 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, citing Gaza war

According to AVROTROS Director-General Taco Zimmerman, "It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character."

|ByTZVI JASPER
A panoramic aerial view of Burgas, the fourth-largest city in Bulgaria.

Eurovision heads to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast as Burgas confirmed 2027 host city

Israel is set to participate in the event, after the Eurovision Song Contest director affirmed there would be no further votes on whether to exclude the Jewish state from the competition.

|ByHANNAH BROWN, REUTERS

Yuval Raphael keeps her cool at Eurovision's turquoise carpet

Raphael, who looked lovely in a flirty light-colored minidress, carried an Israeli flag past demonstrators screaming pro-Palestine slogans.

MAY 13, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
YUVAL RAPHAEL walks the turquoise carpet on Sunday in Basel, while pro-Palestinian protests take place

Yuval Raphael advances in Eurovision predictions as protesters call for exclusion of Israel

Eurovision’s director has repeatedly responded to such calls, saying Eurovision is a contest between public broadcasters, not gov'ts.

MAY 12, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
Yuval Rafael performs in her second pre-contest rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest last week.

Nova festival survivor Yuval Raphael gears up to represent Israel at Eurovision

Many Eurovision fans bet money on the outcome, and bookmakers around the world currently rank Raphael fifth to win, out of 37 competitors.

MAY 10, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
Yuval Raphael is representing Israel this year at Basel in the Eurovision song contest

Yuval Raphael shines at her second Eurovision rehearsal

The grand final will air on May 17 at 22:00 on Kan 11, online, on digital platforms, and Kan BOX.

MAY 9, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
Yuval Rafael at her second Eurovision rehearsal in Basel, May 9, 2025.

Russian shelling destroys home of Ukraine’s Eurovision contestant

The singer was in Sweden at the time of the Russian attack, practising for her performance with the band Ziferblat.

MAY 9, 2025ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Khrystyna Starykova.

'I was scared I'd be shot on stage,' Eden Golan speaks on her fear at Eurovision

Eden Golan recalls the fear before flying to Eurovision, the boos she received and the disgusting behavior of some singers behind the scenes.

MAY 8, 2025ByNIR YAHAV, SAGI BEN NUN
ISRAEL’S CONTESTANT Eden Golan sings in the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, last week.

NSC warns Israelis travelling to Eurovision to conceal Jewish, Israeli symbols

The NSC's directives come two days after 70 former Eurovision participants penned an open letter demanding Israel not be allowed to take part.

MAY 8, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Yuval Raphael at Eurovision rehearsals in Basel, Switzerland, May 7, 2025.

Over 70 former Eurovision contestants call for Israel ban as Yuval Raphael has first rehearsal

The letter posted by the former participants contends that “Kan is complicit in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza."

MAY 6, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
Yuval Raphael at Eurovision rehearsals in Basel, Switzerland, May 7, 2025.

'Being there is already a victory': Yuval Raphael meets Herzog ahead of Eurovision

"Your story is incredible, and every time I hear the song, my heart swells with pride," Herzog said

MAY 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israel's representative to the Eurovision Song Contest Yuval Raphael meets with President Isaac Herzog. May 5, 2025.

Independence Day 2025: 77+1 reasons I love Israel - opinion

Ahead of Israel's Independence Day, Barbara Sofer presents her annual list of things she loves about the Jewish state.

APRIL 27, 2025ByBARBARA SOFER
Israel's representative to the Eurovision Song Contest, Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the deadly October 7 2023 attack by Hamas on the Nova festival in Israel's south, sings on a stage in this handout photo obtained by Reuters on January 23, 2025.