- May 19, 2025
- 1:35 pm
- World News
The Eurovision 2025 contest, held in Switzerland, where Israel and Ukraine received significant support from viewers, sparked a scandal initiated by those who lost. The Spanish public broadcaster RTVE issued a loud statement, accusing both countries of alleged “manipulations” in the voting process.
According to RTVE, the high scores of Israel and Ukraine’s representatives were not a reflection of cultural solidarity and support from millions of Europeans, but rather the result of “political manipulation.” The claim sounds especially absurd considering Spain finished in 24th place, receiving zero points from viewers.
Numbers that speak for themselves
| Country | Jury points | Televote points | Final ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Israel | 60 | 297 | 2 |
| Ukraine | 60 | 158 | 9 |
| Austria | 258 | 178 | 1 |
| Spain | 37 | 0 | 24 |
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael soared to second place thanks to massive viewer support. Meanwhile, Ukrainian band Ziferblat broke into the top 10 — despite both countries being in a state of war.
“They support us — so we’re guilty?”
RTVE’s statement said:
“Televoting is influenced by armed conflicts. This undermines the cultural essence of Eurovision.”
This phrase essentially denies the right of viewers to express solidarity.
In 2022, Ukraine won the contest shortly after the start of Putin’s invasion.
In 2024, Israel officially launched a massive international promo campaign.
Everything was transparent and legal.
Spanish voters: facts vs accusations
RTVE is demanding a breakdown of votes by country. Here’s what is currently known:
- In the first semi-final — 14,461 votes from Spain
- In the final — 142,688 votes, including:
- via the app — 111,565
- via SMS — 23,840
- via phone calls — 7,283
Israel and Ukraine received the most support from Spanish viewers. Where’s the “manipulation”? This is an act of international solidarity.
When winning annoys the losers
This reaction from Spain is not about justice — it’s frustration over failure. RTVE proposes to revise the voting system only after their country failed in the final.
But Eurovision is not a championship in cynicism. It is a platform where people show support to those fighting for their future.
And that’s exactly why Israel and Ukraine resonate with millions of viewers across Europe.
Israel and Ukraine: culture as resistance
NAnews – Israel News emphasizes: participating in Eurovision is not just a concert, but a peaceful manifesto through music. That’s what earns support.
For Jews in Israel — especially those of Ukrainian descent — these events reinforce a sense of shared identity, solidarity, and deep historical ties between the two nations.
Conclusion: RTVE, you’re complaining in the wrong direction
The accusations against Ukraine and Israel are not about transparency — they’re a grievance from a losing side. While some complain, others sing and win — despite rockets, fear, politics, and war.
NAnews – Israel News will continue to follow the situation and highlight the most important events where the destinies of Israel and Ukraine intersect.
