[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by Denver

Isreal tried to cheat which is enough grounds to have them kicked out, there is so much proof of the government paying to have votes in the televote

indeed

https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/05/20/is...voting/284950/

According to the findings, the Israeli Government Advertising Agency — responsible for promotional work with public bodies and state-affiliated companies — ran targeted ads via Google platforms in the lead-up to the Eurovision final, held in Basel, Switzerland. These ads guided viewers on how to vote for Raphael’s entry, “New Day Will Rise.”

Additionally, a YouTube channel launched on April 20 uploaded 89 videos between May 6 and 16, aimed at audiences in 35 countries. These videos, which collectively reached over 8.3 million views, featured Raphael herself urging people to vote for her, often speaking in different languages and emphasising her performance numbers: 14 in the semi-final and 04 in the final. The EBU report confirmed that there was no indication of AI usage in these clips, suggesting Raphael’s direct involvement.

The EBU has repeatedly shut down all calls for Israel to be removed from Eurovision over the country’s actions in Gaza, where more than 52,000 people have been killed since October 2023. They state that the event is a competition between public broadcasters rather than governments, noting the contest must remain apolitical.

However, this government-funded marketing campaign raises questions on that statement.


meanwhile our winner from Austria, JJ supports exclusion of Israel from next years contest, and he is hoping for Vienna to host it again, same as in 2015

https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/05/21/eu...ulsion/284992/