Israeli government paid for ads to promote Eurovision song, probe says
An investigation by Eurovision News Spotlight – which is operated by the EBU, the body that also manages and runs the song contest – found that videos from a YouTube account without obvious links to the Israeli Government had been pushed to people in European countries who could vote for Israel in both the Eurovision finals and semi-finals.
The probe found that the Israeli Government Advertising Agency had paid Google to promote the videos, which urged people to back Israel's Eurovision entry Yuval Raphael – and reminded people that they could vote 'up to 20 times'.
A YouTube video which the Israeli Government paid to be shown to people in the UK:
Israel's entrant – who had survived the Hamas attacks of October 7 – came first in the public vote in the Eurovision Song Contest over the weekend, but was knocked into second place behind Austria after juries' scores were counted.
Eurovision News Spotlight reported that analysis of a YouTube account, created on April 20 and named @Vote4NewDayWillRise – the name of Raphael's song, published 89 videos over 10 days ahead of the contest, amassing over 8.3 million views on the platform.
The YouTube account in question is based in Israel, but its operator is not public. It links to the Israeli Government were revealed through the Google Ads Transparency Center, which showed who paid to promote the videos.
READ MORE: UK, France, and Canada issuing warning to Israel as attacks on Gaza ramp up
The Eurovision News Spotlight investigation found that 'on May 16, the day before the grand final, the channel published 73 videos targeting 35 countries, urging the public to vote for Israel and reminding them to vote for #04, Israel's designated number for the final'.
The UK, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, and host country Switzerland were among the nations whose voting public gave Israel the maximum 12 points.
On Monday, Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said that Israel should not be included in the song contest any longer.
"Nobody was up in arms when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began three years ago and [Russia] had to leave international competitions and could not take part, as we have just seen, in Eurovision,' Sanchez said.
READ MORE: Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez calls Israel a 'genocidal state'
"Therefore Israel shouldn't either, because what we cannot allow is double standards in culture."
"Spain's commitment to international law and human rights must be constant and must be coherent," he added. "Europe's should be too."
Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, a member of the EBU, also released a short statement, saying: 'When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine.'
The broadcaster risked a fine with the statement, as the EBU had warned against mentions of Gaza.
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When asked whether he supported US President Donald Trump's strikes on Iran, Mr Harris told RTE Radio: 'I think it's resulted in an extraordinarily dangerous escalation of a conflict that already best be described as a tinderbox. 'We're now entering a moment of particular danger, because I think the chances now of a spiral of escalation are more likely than ever before, and there is a real prospect now of the international community losing all control of this very, very volatile conflict.' He said it was an 'extraordinarily dangerous time' and that it was a warning as to how easily things could change. 'Thank god we woke this morning to the International Atomic Energy Agency saying they haven't detected any increase in radiation,' he said. He said that it was 'sadly true' that international legal norms are not being adhered to, citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Israel's 'genocidal activity' in Palestine, and the Iran-Israel conflict. Following U.S. attacks and further analysis, IAEA assessed extensive damage at Esfahan, including tunnel entrances; Fordow was also directly impacted; additional strikes at off-site radiation increase reported: — IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) June 22, 2025 He said there was a diplomatic process in train and his understanding from readouts was 'there was a commitment from the Iranian side to further talks'. Ahead of a meeting of EU leaders this week, Mr Harris said Ireland and Europe are 'fully united in the clear view' that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. 'The way to address this was always through a negotiated solution. Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security. 'Together with my EU counterparts, we will in the coming hours and days discuss and review the latest developments and consider the next steps Europe can usefully play to support de-escalation.' Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan said people woke up on Sunday 'terrified, really, to be quite honest, about the prospect of what's unfolding'. He told RTE's The Week In Politics it is 'terrifying' for citizens in Iran and Israel. 'It does take great people to make leaps of faith in particular places in time to come forward, whether it was in relation to (Anwar el-Sadat) in Egypt, and later on in relation to Bill Clinton and what he did, we do now require people to actually get people around the table,' he said. 'Because, ultimately, as the Taoiseach said, this is terrifying – not only for the innocent communities that are living in both countries, but as well as that for the neighbouring countries in the Middle East, who we obviously all hope are not drawn into a much bigger conflict.'
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
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Irish citizens evacuated from Israel after US strikes Iran nuclear facilities
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said the group, evacuated with the help of the Austrian government, will arrive in Ireland in the coming days. It comes after US planes and submarines attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz on Saturday night, which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran has threatened to retaliate, while American leader Donald Trump has warned of further US action if necessary. Irish premier Micheal Martin and Mr Harris both called for an 'urgent' de-escalation and a negotiated solution on Iran's nuclear facilities. They said they are in close contact with their European counterparts ahead of a meeting of EU foreign leaders on Monday and of EU leaders on Thursday and Friday. I'm deeply concerned by the very real risk of an extremely dangerous spiral of escalation now in the Middle East. Urgent de-escalation & diplomacy are crucial. I will travel to Brussels to meet European counterparts. My full statement on latest developments is below. ⬇️ — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 22, 2025 Mr Harris, also Ireland's foreign affairs minister, said the US strikes on Iran was an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' of the 'tinderbox' conflict in the Middle East. He said he spoke on Sunday with Iran's deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, who was 'full of anger'. 'He did say to me that it was the view of Iran that the aggressors would have to learn lessons and pay a price,' he told reporters at Government Buildings. 'Of course I articulated in the strongest possible terms that Ireland and the European Union doesn't want to see that, we want to see people step back from the brink and engage in dialogue.' Mr Martin said that diplomacy and dialogue is 'ultimately the only way to resolve these issues'. 'Iran should commit not to develop nuclear weapons and disavow its nuclear and uranium enrichment programme,' the Taoiseach said. 'Nuclear safety is an issue here, modern warfare is very destructive. It is civilians who ultimately suffer, and that is why we need an end to these wars and bring an end to conflict.' There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue & diplomacy in the Middle East. Iran should unequivocally disavow the development of nuclear weapons. A negotiated solution is the way forward. We remain in close contact with international partners ahead of the EU Council. — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 Mr Martin said the escalation on Sunday should not draw attention away from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. 'We shouldn't lose sight of the catastrophe that is still unfolding in Gaza while the war between Iran and Israel continues,' he said. 'What is happening in Gaza is appalling and a breach of international humanitarian law, and again, innocent civilians and children are being starved there, and we need that to come to an end.' The Government is in contact with a smaller number of Irish citizens in Iran who had requested an evacuation. Around 29 Irish citizens in Iran had registered with the Irish embassy and around 200 in Israel. Mr Harris has urged Irish citizens in both Israel and Iran to remain vigilant, monitor developments and register with their nearest Irish embassy. Staff from Ireland's embassy in Tehran left the country on Friday, and updates are being provided on more than 300 Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon. Mr Harris said there were no plans to withdraw Irish troops and that 'decisions are being made constantly' to ensure their safety. When asked whether he supported US President Donald Trump's strikes on Iran, Mr Harris told RTE Radio: 'I think it's resulted in an extraordinarily dangerous escalation of a conflict that already best be described as a tinderbox. 'We're now entering a moment of particular danger, because I think the chances now of a spiral of escalation are more likely than ever before, and there is a real prospect now of the international community losing all control of this very, very volatile conflict.' He said it was an 'extraordinarily dangerous time' and that it was a warning as to how easily things could change. 'Thank god we woke this morning to the International Atomic Energy Agency saying they haven't detected any increase in radiation,' he said. He said that it was 'sadly true' that international legal norms are not being adhered to, citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Israel's 'genocidal activity' in Palestine, and the Iran-Israel conflict. Following U.S. attacks and further analysis, IAEA assessed extensive damage at Esfahan, including tunnel entrances; Fordow was also directly impacted; additional strikes at off-site radiation increase reported: — IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) June 22, 2025 He said there was a diplomatic process in train and his understanding from readouts was 'there was a commitment from the Iranian side to further talks'. Ahead of a meeting of EU leaders this week, Mr Harris said Ireland and Europe are 'fully united in the clear view' that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. 'The way to address this was always through a negotiated solution. Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security. 'Together with my EU counterparts, we will in the coming hours and days discuss and review the latest developments and consider the next steps Europe can usefully play to support de-escalation.' Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan said people woke up on Sunday 'terrified, really, to be quite honest, about the prospect of what's unfolding'. He told RTE's The Week In Politics it is 'terrifying' for citizens in Iran and Israel. 'It does take great people to make leaps of faith in particular places in time to come forward, whether it was in relation to (Anwar el-Sadat) in Egypt, and later on in relation to Bill Clinton and what he did, we do now require people to actually get people around the table,' he said. 'Because, ultimately, as the Taoiseach said, this is terrifying – not only for the innocent communities that are living in both countries, but as well as that for the neighbouring countries in the Middle East, who we obviously all hope are not drawn into a much bigger conflict.'
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
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Irish citizens evacuated from Israel after US strikes Iran nuclear facilities
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said the group, evacuated with the help of the Austrian government, will arrive in Ireland in the coming days. It comes after US planes and submarines attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz on Saturday night, which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran has threatened to retaliate, while American leader Donald Trump has warned of further US action if necessary. Irish premier Micheal Martin and Mr Harris both called for an 'urgent' de-escalation and a negotiated solution on Iran's nuclear facilities. They said they are in close contact with their European counterparts ahead of a meeting of EU foreign leaders on Monday and of EU leaders on Thursday and Friday. I'm deeply concerned by the very real risk of an extremely dangerous spiral of escalation now in the Middle East. Urgent de-escalation & diplomacy are crucial. I will travel to Brussels to meet European counterparts. My full statement on latest developments is below. ⬇️ — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 22, 2025 Mr Harris, also Ireland's foreign affairs minister, said the US strikes on Iran was an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' of the 'tinderbox' conflict in the Middle East. He said he spoke on Sunday with Iran's deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, who was 'full of anger'. 'He did say to me that it was the view of Iran that the aggressors would have to learn lessons and pay a price,' he told reporters at Government Buildings. 'Of course I articulated in the strongest possible terms that Ireland and the European Union doesn't want to see that, we want to see people step back from the brink and engage in dialogue.' Mr Martin said that diplomacy and dialogue is 'ultimately the only way to resolve these issues'. 'Iran should commit not to develop nuclear weapons and disavow its nuclear and uranium enrichment programme,' the Taoiseach said. 'Nuclear safety is an issue here, modern warfare is very destructive. It is civilians who ultimately suffer, and that is why we need an end to these wars and bring an end to conflict.' There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue & diplomacy in the Middle East. Iran should unequivocally disavow the development of nuclear weapons. A negotiated solution is the way forward. We remain in close contact with international partners ahead of the EU Council. — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 Mr Martin said the escalation on Sunday should not draw attention away from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. 'We shouldn't lose sight of the catastrophe that is still unfolding in Gaza while the war between Iran and Israel continues,' he said. 'What is happening in Gaza is appalling and a breach of international humanitarian law, and again, innocent civilians and children are being starved there, and we need that to come to an end.' The Government is in contact with a smaller number of Irish citizens in Iran who had requested an evacuation. Around 29 Irish citizens in Iran had registered with the Irish embassy and around 200 in Israel. Mr Harris has urged Irish citizens in both Israel and Iran to remain vigilant, monitor developments and register with their nearest Irish embassy. Staff from Ireland's embassy in Tehran left the country on Friday, and updates are being provided on more than 300 Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon. Mr Harris said there were no plans to withdraw Irish troops and that 'decisions are being made constantly' to ensure their safety. When asked whether he supported US President Donald Trump's strikes on Iran, Mr Harris told RTE Radio: 'I think it's resulted in an extraordinarily dangerous escalation of a conflict that already best be described as a tinderbox. 'We're now entering a moment of particular danger, because I think the chances now of a spiral of escalation are more likely than ever before, and there is a real prospect now of the international community losing all control of this very, very volatile conflict.' He said it was an 'extraordinarily dangerous time' and that it was a warning as to how easily things could change. 'Thank god we woke this morning to the International Atomic Energy Agency saying they haven't detected any increase in radiation,' he said. He said that it was 'sadly true' that international legal norms are not being adhered to, citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Israel's 'genocidal activity' in Palestine, and the Iran-Israel conflict. Following U.S. attacks and further analysis, IAEA assessed extensive damage at Esfahan, including tunnel entrances; Fordow was also directly impacted; additional strikes at off-site radiation increase reported: — IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) June 22, 2025 He said there was a diplomatic process in train and his understanding from readouts was 'there was a commitment from the Iranian side to further talks'. Ahead of a meeting of EU leaders this week, Mr Harris said Ireland and Europe are 'fully united in the clear view' that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. 'The way to address this was always through a negotiated solution. Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security. 'Together with my EU counterparts, we will in the coming hours and days discuss and review the latest developments and consider the next steps Europe can usefully play to support de-escalation.' Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan said people woke up on Sunday 'terrified, really, to be quite honest, about the prospect of what's unfolding'. He told RTE's The Week In Politics it is 'terrifying' for citizens in Iran and Israel. 'It does take great people to make leaps of faith in particular places in time to come forward, whether it was in relation to (Anwar el-Sadat) in Egypt, and later on in relation to Bill Clinton and what he did, we do now require people to actually get people around the table,' he said. 'Because, ultimately, as the Taoiseach said, this is terrifying – not only for the innocent communities that are living in both countries, but as well as that for the neighbouring countries in the Middle East, who we obviously all hope are not drawn into a much bigger conflict.'
