New York Times report finds Eurovision to be 'soft power' tool for Israel

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New York Times report finds Eurovision to be 'soft power' tool for Israel Culture

Issued on: 13/05/2026 - 22:27Modified: 13/05/2026 - 22:30

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According to data obtained by the New York Times, in some countries, just a few hundred voters would have been enough to secure a popular vote victory in the Eurovision song contest. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Mara Hvistendahl, investigative reporter at the New York Times, about how Israel has been using the contest as a soft power tool, with attempts to influence Eurovision beginning years earlier than previously thought.

Video by: Sharon GAFFNEY Keywords for this article

• Eurovision
• Music
• Israel

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