Latest news with #NewDayWillRise
New York Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Quote of the Day: Israel's Top-Down Eurovision Campaign
'Vote #04 — New Day Will Rise. Vote 20 Times!' BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, the prime minister of Israel, urging his 1.5 million followers on Instagram to vote for Yuval Raphael, her country's entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest finals. Ms. Raphael, who performed 'New Day Will Rise,' lost to the Austrian entrant, JJ.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Could Eurovision 2026 go on without Israel?
According to The Guardian, Austria's 24-year-old Eurovision winner, Johannes Pietsch, better known by his stage name JJ, has ignited a political firestorm after calling for Israel to be excluded from next year's song contest in Vienna. "It is very disappointing to see that Israel continues to participate in the contest," JJ told Spanish outlet El País in a post-victory interview. "I would like next year's Eurovision to take place in Vienna without Israel." The singer's comments come amid mounting global scrutiny over Israel's brutal aggression against Gaza. Despite widespread protests and activist pressure during this year's contest in Switzerland, Israel competed with Yuval Raphael's entry New Day Will Rise, which placed second after a surge in public voting. JJ questioned the transparency of that vote, noting the Israeli artist's sudden leap in points. "This year, everything happened in a very strange way," he said. He also demanded "greater transparency" in the Eurovision voting process and questioned whether the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) was applying its rules consistently. "The ball is in the court of the organisers," JJ acknowledged. "We, the artists, can only express our views on the subject." His remarks triggered a swift response from Austria's national broadcaster ORF, which moved to distance itself from the controversy, emphasising that JJ's views "reflected a personal opinion." Through his label Warner, the singer later added he was "sorry if his comments had been misinterpreted." Still, JJ's stance has struck a chord beyond Austria. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israeli policy, also called for Israel's exclusion from Eurovision, citing cultural "double standards." In 2022, Russia was banned from Eurovision following its war with Ukraine. "What we cannot allow are double standards in culture," Sánchez said on Monday, referencing Russia's continued ban from the contest. As calls grow for the EBU to reassess its position, pressure is mounting to ensure that Eurovision, a contest that claims to celebrate unity and peace, does not become, as critics fear, a stage for selective solidarity. Whether the EBU will act on JJ's plea remains to be seen. As Israel's military aggression in Gaza continues unabated, over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed and 122,382 injured to date, according to Al Jazeera. In response to this worsening humanitarian crisis, artists and audiences alike are asking difficult questions about complicity, cultural diplomacy, and what Eurovision truly stands for.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
EBU ‘looking into' promotion of acts and number of votes allowed following Eurovision voting controversy
Eurovision organiser, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has said it will look at the promotion of Eurovision acts 'by their delegations and associated parties', and the number of votes allowed per person amid calls for an audit of the voting system. Earlier this week, RTÉ requested a breakdown in Eurovision voting numbers. The Irish televote awarded Israel 10 points for Yuval Raphael's song New Day Will Rise, while the jury awarded seven points. RTVE, Spain's public broadcaster, called for a 'complete review' to avoid 'external interference', and VRT, the Flemish public broadcasting company also publicly raised concerns over the voting process. Belgium and Spain's televoters both awarded Israel 12 points, while the juries gave the country zero points. Israel was ranked joint 14th by the national juries but jumped to the top of the leader-board when it received 297 in the public vote. As it currently stands, viewers can currently vote up to 20 times each by phone, text or app. While the EBU says there is no evidence this affects the final result, it will discuss this rule at the annual Reference Group that takes place after the contest each year. We want to ensure that such promotion is not disproportionately affecting the natural mobilisation of communities and diasporas we see in all entertainment audience voting Some countries, including Israel, used advertising on social media channels to promote their act. In an 'open letter' on the Eurovision website, Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said that the EBU would look into promotion of acts. 'Such promotion is allowed under our rules and acts to celebrate the artists, increase their profile and launch future careers – it's very much part of the music industry - but we want to ensure that such promotion is not disproportionately affecting the natural mobilisation of communities and diasporas we see in all entertainment audience voting,' he said. 'Another example is the number of votes we allow per person – 20 per payment method. This is designed to ensure that audiences of all ages can vote for more than one of their favourite songs and there is no current evidence that it disproportionately affects the final result – but the question has been asked and so we will look at it.' ADVERTISEMENT The EBU has said that the voting system is highly advanced and contains 'multiple security layers and a comprehensive set of rules to ensure that a valid result is generated'. Mr Green said that over 60 individuals in Cologne and other individuals in Vienna and Amsterdam 'monitor the voting process in each country and maintain direct contact with telecommunication and broadcasting partners globally'. The results are then independently authenticated by compliance monitor EY. He said all the concerns and feedback will be considered at the annual reference group for the contest which will take part in June this year. The Song Contest was won on Saturday night by Austrian singer JJ with his techno ballad Wasted Love.
Extra.ie
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Eurovision winner JJ says he hopes next year's contest will take place without Israel
This year's Eurovision winner, JJ, says he would like next year's competition to take place without Israel. 'It's very disappointing… I would like Eurovision to be held in Vienna next year, without Israel. But the ball is in the EBU's court. We, the artists, can only speak out on the matter,' said the Austrian artist to Spanish newspaper El País. The 24-year-old singer, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, claimed victory at the song contest with the song 'Wasted Love.' In a tightly contested final, Pietsch finished just ahead of Israel's Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attacks. Her song 'New Day Will Rise' received the most public votes. 'There should be greater transparency regarding the [public vote]. This year, everything was very strange about it,' said Pietsch. His remarks echo growing concern among several national broadcasters. Spain's national broadcaster RTVE has requested a full audit of the voting system, with Ireland and Finland also expressing support for a review. Belgium's VRT has threatened to withdraw from the contest if concerns go unaddressed. The director of Eurovision, Martin Green, made a statement this week calling the contest's voting system 'the most advanced in the world'. Pietsch, who is queer, also told El Pas he attempted to bring an LGBTQ+ flag on stage during his final performance, but 'the organisers caught [him] at the last minute.'
The Journal
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Eurovision winner hopes Israel won't compete next year
THIS YEAR'S WINNER of the Eurovision song contest has said that he would like next year's competition to go ahead in Austria 'without Israel'. Johannes Pietsch, 24, from Austria, yesterday said in an interview with the Spanish outlet El Pais, that it is 'very disappointing to see Israel still participating in the competition.' Pietsch, who narrowly beat out Israel's entrant for the win, also called for 'greater transparency' regarding the televoting element of the judging process, saying that this year 'everything was very strange about it', after Israel dominated the public vote. The Spanish Eurovision delegation has requested an audit of the televoting process, and the Belgian broadcaster VRT has threatened to pull out of the competition if the matter is not clarified by the EBU (European Broadcasting Union). Pietsch, who is queer, also said that he tried to 'sneak' an LGBTQ+ flag onto the stage during the final for his performance of 'Wasted Love', but that the organisers 'caught' him at the last minute. 'We artists can only raise our voices,' Pietsch further said. Advertisement Israel's entry, 'New Day Will Rise', sung by Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the 7 October attacks, came second, but came first in audience voting. Ireland has joined in Spain's call for a review of the Eurovision voting process, alongside Finland, and the Netherlands. There has been criticism of the fact that an audience member watching from home can cast up to 20 votes. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision. Martin Green, the director of Eurovision, made a statement this week about the integrity of the voting system, calling it 'the most advanced in the world'. Need more information on what is happening in Israel and Palestine? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to navigating the news online. Visit Knowledge Bank Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
