Gaza War
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday renewed his criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, calling for the country’s exclusion from major international cultural events—most notably the Eurovision Song Contest.
Drawing a comparison to Russia’s suspension from such platforms following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Sánchez argued that international standards must be applied uniformly, even in the cultural sphere.
Speaking at a conference in Madrid, the Spanish leader emphasized the importance of consistency in global responses to acts of war. “We cannot allow double standards, not even in culture,” Sánchez asserted. He pointed out that no one was surprised when Russia was excluded from international cultural competitions following its aggression in Ukraine. “Therefore, Israel should not do so either,” he added, suggesting that similar consequences be imposed on Israel over its conduct in Gaza.
Sánchez, a long-standing critic of Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, urged the artistic and cultural community to take a firm stance in support of democratic values, peace, and justice. He took aim at those within the cultural sector who he said maintain a “bland, silent, equidistant” position in the face of humanitarian crises, calling for a more principled and vocal engagement from artists and performers.
His comments come amid ongoing controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025, which concluded earlier this month in Basel, Switzerland. While Austrian singer JJ claimed the top prize, Israel’s contestant, Yuval Raphael, won the public televote.
Despite calls from pro-Palestinian groups urging the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel due to its Gaza campaign, the EBU defended its stance of political neutrality and allowed Israel to compete.
Since the outbreak of war in Gaza, over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed according to Gaza health authorities, following Israel’s massive offensive in response to a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead.
Israel has since vowed to dismantle Hamas’s governing and military capabilities in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Israeli forces will take control of the entire territory.
Spain has taken an increasingly firm stance on the conflict. In 2023, it halted arms sales to Israel and, alongside Ireland and Norway, formally recognized a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
That move was condemned by Israel as emboldening Hamas. Last October, Sánchez further urged the European Union and the broader international community to adopt a similar weapons embargo on Israel.
While Israel’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to Sánchez’s recent remarks, the debate over the intersection of culture, politics, and international law is likely to intensify as the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to mount.
