Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for Israel's exclusion from international cultural events such as the Eurovision song contest over its military campaign in Gaza, just as Russia was barred after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Eurovision, which stresses its political neutrality, faced controversy again during this month's finals in Basel, Switzerland, won by Austrian singer JJ. Israel's Yuval Raphael won the televote, in which members of the public vote.
Ahead of Sunday's final, Spanish public broadcaster RTVE aired a message in support of Palestinians — despite being warned to avoid references to Gaza by Eurovision organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
What has Pedro Sanchez said?
"I believe that no one was shocked three years ago when Russia was asked to withdraw from international competitions after it invaded Ukraine and not participate, for example, at Eurovision. Therefore, Israel should not do so either," Sanchez, a socialist and long-time critic of Israeli policies in occupied Palestinian territory, told a conference in Madrid.
"We cannot allow double standards, not even in culture.
"Spain's commitment to international law and human rights must be constant and must be coherent. Europe's should be too."
International pressure intensifies on Israel over Gaza war
Pro-Palestinian groups had urged the EBU to exclude Israel over the war in Gaza.
In April, RTVE wrote to the EBU requesting a "debate" over Israeli participation amid civil society "concerns" about the situation in Gaza, where the risk of famine is rising.
Sanchez called on artists to stand up for threatened values such as democracy and peace, criticising those who defend "a bland, silent, equidistant cultural sector".
A year ago, Spain — along with Norway and Ireland — formally recognised a unified Palestinian state ruled by the Palestinian Authority and with East Jerusalem as its capital — a decision Israel has condemned as bolstering Hamas.
Last October, Sanchez urged the European Union and wider international community to stop selling weapons to Israel, as Spain did in 2023.
Israel's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Sanchez's remarks.
