Eurovision 2025 winner JJ calls for "Israel’s" ban from 2026 contest

Austria’s newly crowned Eurovision champion JJ has called on organizers to bar "Israel" from next year’s contest, citing its ongoing war on Gaza, which human rights groups and international legal experts have widely described as genocide.

JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, made the remarks in an interview with Spanish newspaper El País published Thursday. “I would like the next Eurovision to be held in Vienna and without Israel,” he said, adding that "Israel’s" inclusion this year was “very disappointing.”

The 2025 edition of the contest, held in Basel, was mired in controversy over "Israel’s" participation amid its military offensive in Gaza.

Read more: Austria wins Eurovision 2025, "Israel" takes second place

Despite the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) insistence on political neutrality, Eurovision faced mounting backlash this year from fans, national broadcasters, and artists critical of "Israel’s" role in the genocide.

“There should be greater transparency regarding the televoting. This year, everything was very strange about it,” JJ told El País, referencing growing concerns over voting integrity. Spain has already requested an audit into possible irregularities, while Belgium’s public broadcaster VRT has raised the prospect of withdrawal unless the EBU provides answers about "Israel’s" unusually high public vote count.

While judges were more reserved in scoring "Israel’s" entry, popular voting from the public delivered surprisingly strong support for the country. Critics say this reflects a skewed process and a lack of accountability among organizers.

JJ’s comments add to a growing chorus of voices urging change within the EBU, especially regarding how geopolitical issues are handled. Last year, similar outrage followed "Israel’s" public vote success despite widespread pressure to exclude the country over its military actions.

“The artists are speaking out. Now the organisers need to listen,” JJ said.

"Israel’s" continued presence at Eurovision has prompted accusations of double standards, particularly in light of Russia’s expulsion from the contest after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many have questioned why "Israel", despite allegations of serious human rights violations, continues to be welcomed.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently echoed these concerns at a conference in Madrid, calling on cultural institutions to stop ignoring atrocities. “No one was shocked when Russia was asked to withdraw after invading Ukraine,” he said. “So why should Israel be treated differently?”

Sanchez accused major cultural platforms of adopting a passive stance in the face of “grave injustices,” describing them as “bland, silent, equidistant.”

JJ, who is of Austrian-Filipino heritage and grew up in Dubai, rose to prominence this year after winning the contest with his entry Wasted Love. Since his victory, he has used his platform to call for transparency and accountability within the Eurovision system.