In a surprising twist during a weekend marked by escalating military tensions in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged his 1.5 million Instagram followers moments before Israeli contestant Yuval Raphael took to the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. His post urged fans to "Vote #04 — New Day Will Rise" and encouraged followers to "Vote 20 Times!"—a reference to the permissible voting limit set by the competition.
The timing was notable. As Israeli military forces mobilized, and negotiations for a cease-fire with Hamas continued, the government's involvement in promoting a pop contest raised eyebrows. Amid a climate where Israeli artists often find themselves boycotted due to the nation's actions, Eurovision has increasingly emerged as a significant platform for Israel.
The campaign involved extensive social media outreach, email blasts, and YouTube advertisements led by the government and pro-Israel groups to drum up voter support. Ultimately, Israel secured a historic public vote during the competition, contributing to a thrilling conclusion where it nearly clinched victory, only to be narrowly surpassed by Austria, which performed better with the jury scores.
The involvement of the government in cultural events like Eurovision demonstrates the intertwining of politics and music, revealing how public sentiment can be influenced during challenging times.
