Eurovision: Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez calls for Israel to be banned

Pedro Sánchez warns against "double standards" after Russia was banned from the song contest in 2022.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveSpanish PM calls for Israel ban at Eurovision21 hours agoShareSaveShareSaveEPA-EFE/ShutterstockIsrael's Yuval Raphael came second at Saturday's song contest with her song New Day Will RiseGuy HedgecoeBBC NewsPaul GlynnCulture reporterThe Spanish prime minister has called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest over its military action in Gaza.

Pedro Sánchez noted Russia has been banned from the contest since 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine, and said there should not be "double standards".

Israel came second in the contest's grand final in Switzerland on Saturday, but topped the public vote - with Spanish viewers giving Israel the maximum 12 points.

Israeli minister for diaspora affairs, Amichai Chikli, ridiculed Sánchez with a social media post that said the vote had been a "slap in the face" for the Spanish PM, "which we have heard here in Jerusalem".

BBC News has asked Eurovision organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for comment.