Spanish PM calls for Israel ban at Eurovision1 day ago Share Save Share SaveEPA-EFE/Shutterstock Israel's Yuval Raphael came second at Saturday's song contest with her song New Day Will RiseGuy Hedgecoe BBC News Paul Glynn Culture 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. "Therefore Israel shouldn't either, because what we cannot allow is double standards in culture." Reuters Pedro Sánchez and his government have been harsh critics of Israel