The Eurovision Song Contest has once again become a lightning rod for political controversy – but this time, not because of the voting.
BBC presenter Graham Norton came under fire from right-wing commentators after a comment he made after Austria won the contest with JJ’s Wasted Love on Saturday (May 17, 2025). He said: “The EBU will have a sigh of relief for not having to have a Tel Aviv final next year.”
The reaction online has been ferocious.
Former GB News presenter Dan Wootton accused Norton and the BBC of “vile efforts” and labelled the broadcaster an “antisemitic shame” to the UK, calling for its defunding.
Joe Porter, a Conservative councillor, called the remark “disgraceful political commentary” and echoed Wootton’s claims.
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In reality, Norton’s remark was more likely a practical observation than a political jab.
Given that Tel Aviv exists in a region under constant threat, the logistical and security nightmare of hosting Eurovision there is self-evident.
It’s a straightforward point, not a controversial one – unless you’re looking for reasons to generate outrage.
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Just hours earlier on the BBC, an episode of Doctor Who titled The Interstellar Song Contest aired. It featured Norton himself (along with fellow Eurovision personality Rylan Clark-Neal) in a plot about a future song competition disrupted by protesters fighting against the occupation of their planet.
While no overt reference was made to Palestine or Israel, viewers could easily spot the parallels: military occupation, terrorist resistance, and the politicisation of entertainment.
Add to that Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdrawing from his role on Eurovision just two minutes after Israel qualified for the final, and a larger pattern emerges.
Is it overt protest? No.
Is it fair to interpret it as a coordinated political statement? Probably not.
But does it reflect the fact that many people – inside and outside the entertainment industry – are deeply uncomfortable with the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel’s role in it? Absolutely.
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There are important facts to remember here:
- At least 14,000 children have been killed in Gaza, according to widely accepted figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, which have been used by the UN, WHO, and major human rights organisations for years.
- Israel continues to face growing accusations of genocide from international legal experts and the International Court of Justice.
- Eurovision faced pressure from 70 former contestants to disqualify Israel over its ongoing military campaign.
The BBC, whether intentionally or not, finds itself entangled in all of this.
But to equate criticism of Israel’s military actions, or even discomfort at the idea of hosting Eurovision in a country at war, with anti-Semitism is intellectually dishonest and dangerously reductive.
What the outrage from figures like Wootton and Porter reveals is a desire to shut down any critical discussion of Israel, no matter how mild, by immediately labelling it anti-Semitic.
This not only devalues the real meaning of anti-Semitism, but actively undermines the ability of people to engage in genuine, good-faith debate.
None of this is new.
What is new is the scale.
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But why stop there? Every extra pound helps power more investigations, more videos, and more impact.
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With even family entertainment like Doctor Who and Eurovision now embroiled in political controversy, we are seeing the limits of silence.
People are speaking out – in fiction, in satire, and, yes, in fleeting comments during a live broadcast.
If the right-wing commentariat want to defend Israel’s actions in Gaza, let them do so with facts and arguments.
But stop weaponising anti-Semitism to silence dissent.
That, not a BBC presenter’s offhand remark, is the real disgrace.
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BBC under fire over Eurovision – but was it really anti-Semitic criticism of Israel?
The Eurovision Song Contest has once again become a lightning rod for political controversy – but this time, not because of the voting.
BBC presenter Graham Norton came under fire from right-wing commentators after a comment he made after Austria won the contest with JJ’s Wasted Love on Saturday (May 17, 2025). He said: “The EBU will have a sigh of relief for not having to have a Tel Aviv final next year.”
The reaction online has been ferocious.
Former GB News presenter Dan Wootton accused Norton and the BBC of “vile efforts” and labelled the broadcaster an “antisemitic shame” to the UK, calling for its defunding.
Joe Porter, a Conservative councillor, called the remark “disgraceful political commentary” and echoed Wootton’s claims.
Thanks to incredible supporters, we hit our £50-this-month donation goal with half the month still to go. That means another month of research, reporting, and political truth-telling — made possible by you.
But why stop there? Every extra pound helps power more investigations, more videos, and more impact.
If you haven’t donated yet — or want to chip in again — help us build momentum for the next big target: £75.
If you value fearless political journalism that holds the powerful to account, please chip in today. Even £2 helps keep Vox Political running strong.
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In reality, Norton’s remark was more likely a practical observation than a political jab.
Given that Tel Aviv exists in a region under constant threat, the logistical and security nightmare of hosting Eurovision there is self-evident.
It’s a straightforward point, not a controversial one – unless you’re looking for reasons to generate outrage.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
Just hours earlier on the BBC, an episode of Doctor Who titled The Interstellar Song Contest aired. It featured Norton himself (along with fellow Eurovision personality Rylan Clark-Neal) in a plot about a future song competition disrupted by protesters fighting against the occupation of their planet.
While no overt reference was made to Palestine or Israel, viewers could easily spot the parallels: military occupation, terrorist resistance, and the politicisation of entertainment.
Add to that Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdrawing from his role on Eurovision just two minutes after Israel qualified for the final, and a larger pattern emerges.
Is it overt protest? No.
Is it fair to interpret it as a coordinated political statement? Probably not.
But does it reflect the fact that many people – inside and outside the entertainment industry – are deeply uncomfortable with the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel’s role in it? Absolutely.
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
There are important facts to remember here:
The BBC, whether intentionally or not, finds itself entangled in all of this.
But to equate criticism of Israel’s military actions, or even discomfort at the idea of hosting Eurovision in a country at war, with anti-Semitism is intellectually dishonest and dangerously reductive.
What the outrage from figures like Wootton and Porter reveals is a desire to shut down any critical discussion of Israel, no matter how mild, by immediately labelling it anti-Semitic.
This not only devalues the real meaning of anti-Semitism, but actively undermines the ability of people to engage in genuine, good-faith debate.
None of this is new.
What is new is the scale.
Thanks to incredible supporters, we hit our £50-this-month donation goal with half the month still to go. That means another month of research, reporting, and political truth-telling — made possible by you.
But why stop there? Every extra pound helps power more investigations, more videos, and more impact.
If you haven’t donated yet — or want to chip in again — help us build momentum for the next big target: £75.
If you value fearless political journalism that holds the powerful to account, please chip in today. Even £2 helps keep Vox Political running strong.
👉 Support us here: https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
With even family entertainment like Doctor Who and Eurovision now embroiled in political controversy, we are seeing the limits of silence.
People are speaking out – in fiction, in satire, and, yes, in fleeting comments during a live broadcast.
If the right-wing commentariat want to defend Israel’s actions in Gaza, let them do so with facts and arguments.
But stop weaponising anti-Semitism to silence dissent.
That, not a BBC presenter’s offhand remark, is the real disgrace.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
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