Eurovision threatens to fine Spanish broadcaster if it repeats criticism of Israel

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has threatened Spain's public broadcaster RTVE with punitive fines if its commentators repeat references to the Gaza conflict during the Eurovision final, RTVE reported Saturday.

During Thursday's broadcast, RTVE highlighted the deaths of over 50,000 civilians, including more than 15,000 children, in Gaza as the Israeli candidate was being introduced.

“Casualty figures have no place in an apolitical entertainment show,” said EBU in a letter to RTVE, calling on them to follow guidelines prohibiting political statements that could “compromise the contest's neutrality.”

“We count on RTVE's full cooperation to prevent any recurrence. Any further breach may incur punitive fines under the rules,” it added.

RTVE also reiterated its call for a debate on Israel's inclusion in the song competition and called for justice and respect for human rights during Thursday's semifinals.

The Spanish daily El Pais reported that RTVE was planning to include similar commentary during Saturday's final.

It claimed the EBU is handling Israel's participation “poorly,” by suppressing criticism and limiting freedom of expression.

Earlier in the week, Belgium's Flemish public broadcaster VRT included a pro-Palestinian message during the first semifinal. It has backed RTVE's call for debate, along with delegations from Slovenia, Iceland and Ireland.

Several people were also reportedly removed from the Eurovision audience during a dress rehearsal for carrying Palestinian flags.

Earlier this month, more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on the EBU to ban Israel's public broadcaster from the contest.

“By continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalizing and whitewashing its crimes,” read the letter, which accuses Eurovision of double standards for expelling Russia but not Israel.​​​​​​​