Salvador Sobral once again stood out in the public debate by denouncing what he considers to be an unjustifiable decision by RTP. The singer criticizes Portugal’s permanence in the Eurovision Song Contest, in a year marked by Israel’s continuation in the competition, despite the strong international controversy associated with the war in Gaza, which has already caused more than seventy thousand deaths.
For Salvador, the only Portuguese winner of Eurovision, the attitude of the Portuguese public broadcaster is contradictory and cowardly. The artist recalls that RTP broadcasts and supports solidarity initiatives aimed at the Palestinian cause, but, at the same time, agrees to participate in an international show where Israel maintains its presence. According to the musician, this stance reveals political and ethical inconsistency.
Salvador’s testimony was shared after being at the CCB, in Lisbon, during a solidarity concert in favor of Gaza. The event sold out the room and brought together hundreds of people for a night dedicated to art and solidarity. While the concert was taking place, the European Broadcasting Union was meeting to confirm Israel’s participation in the 2025 edition of Eurovision.
Several countries, such as Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia, chose to abandon the competition in protest. Salvador Sobral praised this position, arguing that these States chose the most coherent and fair path. For the musician, Portugal was expected to do the same.
The singer accuses RTP of lacking firmness and taking refuge in an institutional decision that does not follow the values that the station itself claims to defend. In his view, public television’s attitude should have been clear and aligned with humanitarian principles.
Despite criticism of Portuguese participation in Eurovision, Salvador highlights the importance of the Song Festival as a prominent platform for new and established national artists. The musician even leaves a challenge to future winners of the contest: whoever wins first place is not obliged to represent Portugal at Eurovision. The decision, he states, can and should be personal, if RTP maintains its current position.
Thus, Salvador argues that the Song Festival should continue to exist, but without the automatic obligation to send the winner to an international event marked by political, ethical and humanitarian tensions.
