Culture Minister Calls for Review Of Eurovision Voting System Following Israel Controversy
Culture Minister Owen Bonnici has urged Eurovision organisers to address growing concerns about the contest’s voting system, following Israel’s controversial win in the public vote during last Saturday’s final.
“It’s in the interest of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) for everyone to trust the voting system in use. The fact that countries expressed their reservations needs to be addressed – even if they are not in the right,” Bonnici told Times of Malta.
Israel placed second overall in the competition, despite widespread criticism of its government’s ongoing military actions in Gaza. The country’s entry, New Day Will Rise by Yuval Raphael, received 60 points from the professional juries but surged to the top of the public vote with 297 points—more than any other contestant.
Spain’s public broadcaster responded by demanding an investigation into the result and a review of the televoting system, which currently allows up to 20 votes per person. They argued the system is open to manipulation. Broadcasters from Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Finland have also expressed similar concerns.
Bonnici noted that all parties involved want a voting system that is fair and credible and expressed confidence that the EBU is committed to improving its procedures.
When asked whether Israel should be excluded from next year’s competition, as suggested by this year’s winner Austria’s JJ, Bonnici acknowledged the complexity of the issue. He recognised that some people feel countries engaged in serious wrongdoing should be banned, while others believe cultural events should remain separate from politics and that artists should not be penalised for their governments’ actions.
He reminded that he has been vocal in condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and remains deeply opposed to them, however, he believes that punishing artists for political decisions is not the solution.
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