JJ Says Israel Should Not Be In Eurovision 2026

Austria’s 2025 Eurovision winner, JJ, has said he hopes Israel will not take part in next year’s contest in Vienna, expressing disappointment over the country’s continued participation.

“I would like Eurovision to be held in Vienna next year and without Israel. But the decision lies with the EBU. We, as artists, can only raise our voices,” the 24-year-old singer told Spanish newspaper El País.

He echoed the thoughts on ‘Tu periodico’, saying that he would like to see more fairness as well as no targeted ads by certain countries. If it were up to him, JJ said, Israel would not compete in the next edition.

JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, secured victory with his pop-operatic ballad Wasted Love, narrowly beating Israel’s Yuval Raphael, who placed second after receiving a large public vote.

Israel’s involvement in the contest has come under increasing scrutiny due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has argued for Israel’s exclusion, pointing to the precedent set by Russia’s ban following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“We cannot allow double standards in culture,” Sánchez said.

Spanish broadcaster RTVE has called for an audit of the voting process to ensure no undue influence. Israel received the maximum 12 points from Spain during the final.

JJ echoed concerns about voting transparency, calling this year’s process “very strange” and voicing support for last year’s winner, Switzerland’s Nemo, who also urged for changes.

Raphael, a survivor of the 2023 Nova music festival attack, has not commented on JJ’s remarks but thanked Israeli supporters after her second-place finish with New Day Will Rise. The EBU reaffirmed its commitment to political neutrality while respecting artists’ views.

#MaltaDaily