Previously we discussed one aspect of the BBC’s framing of the decision by some countries to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s participation in the event.
BBC FRAMING OF EUROVISION BOYCOTTS – PART ONE
An additional talking point seen in some of the BBC’s reporting on that topic in recent months promotes redundant comparison between Israel and Russia – for example:
“UK should withdraw from Eurovision if Israel takes part – Phil Coulter” Claire Quinn, 12/9/25
“Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr Coulter said he feels “very strongly” about Ireland not participating in Eurovision if Israel does, due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. […]
He said there was a “double standard” that Israel was being allowed to participate whereas Russia was expelled from the 2022 contest due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“What’s the difference between that tragic event and what’s happening in Gaza?” Mr Coulter asked.”
“Countries to vote on Israel’s Eurovision future” Mark Savage, 26/9/25
“Others have pointed out that Russia was kicked out of the Eurovision in 2022 after its invasion of Ukraine. The EBU, which organises the Eurovision Song Contest, says that was a different set of circumstances because Russia’s national broadcasters had broken the organisation’s code of conduct – something they say Israel is not guilty of.”
It would of course have been helpful to BBC audiences had the corporation’s journalists also bothered to remind them that “the difference” is that it was Hamas and other Palestinian groups who invaded Israel on October 7th 2023 rather than the other way round.
Notably, most of the BBC’s thirteen written reports published since the last contest in May 2025 fail to make any mention of why the war began. Those that do – just two in all – use the ‘frozen in time’ formula seen in additional BBC reporting whereby the number of people reportedly killed in the Gaza Strip rises over time according to updated information provided by the Hamas-run health ministry but the portrayal of Israeli casualties stays static, reflecting only what was known not long after the October 7th massacre. [emphasis added]
“Eurovision body to hold vote on Israel’s participation” Steven McIntosh, 26/9/25
“Israel’s continued participation in Eurovision has been controversial due to the ongoing war in Gaza, and several countries had already called for their exclusion.
The EBU confirmed all 68 member countries would be invited to vote, including broadcasters who don’t take part in Eurovision such as Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Jordan and Lebanon. […]
In recent weeks, countries including Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland and Spain have all said they would consider dropping out of Eurovision if Israel’s involvement continued.
The Irish broadcaster, RTÉ, said that Ireland’s participation in the event “would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza”.
The Dutch public broadcaster, Avrotros, said it too could no longer justify Israel’s inclusion “given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza”. […]
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 65,419 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.”
“Eurovision has never been about politics, says BBC boss Tim Davie” Paul Glynn, 9/10/25
“Israel launched its war in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 64,871 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.”
Like much of its broader coverage of the war initiated by Hamas, the BBC’s chosen framing of this particular story also includes the promotion of context free messaging on selected topics.
Humanitarian aid:
“Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a source of controversy, as its military intensifies its bombardment of Gaza, and enforces blockades of all food and other humanitarian supplies.” [source]
Famine:
“In August, the UN-backed food monitor, the IPC, confirmed that famine was taking place in parts of Gaza. Israel is accused of causing the famine through ongoing restrictions on food and medical aid entering the territory.
Israel controls all border crossings into the Gaza Strip, and as the occupying power bears responsibility for protecting civilian life under international law, which includes the prevention of starvation.” [source]
Journalists:
“The Irish broadcaster, RTÉ, has said it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest “if the participation of Israel goes ahead”.
In a statement, RTÉ said that Ireland’s participation in the event “would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza”. […]
It added: “RTÉ is also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.”” [source]
“In a statement which echoed RTÉ’s, Avrotros said it too could no longer justify Israel’s inclusion “given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza” and the “serious erosion of press freedom”.
It continued: “Human suffering, the suppression of press freedom and political interference are at odds with the values of public broadcasting.”
The Dutch broadcaster went on to cite the Israeli ban on international media from entering war-torn Gaza, as well as the “many casualties among journalists”.” [source]
Genocide:
“The Spanish prime minister has called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest over its military action in Gaza. […]
He also expressed solidarity with “the people of Palestine who are experiencing the injustice of war and bombardment”. […]
Sánchez and his government, which officially acknowledged a Palestinian state last year, have been harsh critics of Israel, and last week in Congress the prime minister referred to the country as “a genocidal state”.” [source]
“In 2024, Spain joined Norway and Ireland in acknowledging a Palestinian state and last week, Sánchez accused Israel of genocide and announced a series of measures against it, including an arms embargo.” [source]
“Speaking to a parliamentary commission, the president of Spanish broadcaster RTVE said he felt Israel’s participation was “untenable”, calling its actions in Gaza a genocide. […]
Israel has consistently denied accusations of genocide in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 70,000, according to Hamas-run health authorities.” [source]
None of the thirteen written reports about the boycott story which appeared on the BBC News website’s Eurovision Song Contest page in the period between the 2025 competition final on May 17th and December 5th informs audiences of the amounts of humanitarian aid that have entered the Gaza Strip with Israel’s facilitation. None of those reports refutes the false claim of famine or the smear of genocide. And none challenges the lie that Israel deliberately targets journalists.
Instead, the BBC’s framing of the story concerning the boycotting of the next Eurovision Song Contest by various countries focuses on providing uncritical amplification of a variety of claims and smears used by representatives of those countries to ‘explain’ their choices, thereby ensuring that audiences will not have full understanding of the story.
Related Articles:
FROZEN IN TIME: THE BBC’S CONTRASTING PORTRAYALS OF CASUALTIES
