The Eurovision Song Contest is supposed to be apolitical. Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS also stated that it could "no longer justify Israel's participation in the current situation, given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza." JJ from Austria won the contest in 2025, which is why the next event will be held in Vienna Image: Baden Roth/IMAGO/ZUMA Press WireWhy is Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest? The inclusion of broadcasters and countries beyond the borders of Europe is also the reason why the event is called the "Eurovision Song Contest" and not the "European Song Contest." This became particularly clear during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Tel Aviv, Israel.