Global News Podcast Four countries boycott Eurovision over Israel's inclusion
27 snips
Dec 5, 2025 
Mark Savage, a music correspondent, delves into the controversy surrounding Eurovision, where Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia have announced a boycott over Israel's participation. Peter Bowes, North America correspondent, reports on a congressional briefing about US military strikes on drug-smuggling boats, raising questions about legality. Tom Simons discusses a UK inquiry revealing Vladimir Putin's moral responsibility for the Novichok poisoning, highlighting significant implications in the geopolitical landscape.
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Israeli Fan's Mixed Feelings
- Ilan Zoller celebrated Israel's place in Eurovision and lamented the loss of favourites like the Netherlands and Spain.
- He argued the contest should set politics aside and remain a broadcaster competition.
Voting Rule Compromise Sparks Boycott
- The EBU tied tighter public voting rules to avoid external influence rather than vote on Israel's exclusion.
- That compromise passed and immediately triggered four countries to withdraw.
Precedent And Press Freedom Shaped EBU Choice
- The EBU defended its decision by citing precedent: Russia was removed for breaching membership terms, not solely government actions.
- Members also fear excluding Israel could threaten press freedom by weakening its broadcaster's independence.