Slovenia formally requests Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision 2025

Slovenia has formally called for Israel to be excluded from the Eurovision 2025 Song Contest, citing Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, according to reports in Israeli media on Saturday.

The request was submitted to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organization that oversees the annual competition.

Slovenian officials have indicated that if the EBU rejects their request, the country may withdraw from the contest as a form of protest. This ultimatum underscores Slovenia’s broader condemnation of Israel’s actions, which President Natasa Pirc Musar has been criticizing on international platforms.

The EBU has not yet issued a response to Slovenia’s request. As the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest, the union is poised to maintain a neutral stance on political matters. However, Slovenia’s demands signal a potential intersection of global politics and cultural diplomacy that could challenge Eurovision’s apolitical ethos.

If Slovenia follows through on its threat to withdraw, it could set a precedent for other countries to leverage their participation in international cultural events to address geopolitical disputes.