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Mucha criticizes JJ's controversial statement about Israel at the ESC
The Austrian musician JJ criticizes the Eurovision competition and causes public controversy. Publisher Christian Mucha expresses concern.
Mucha criticizes JJ's controversial statement about Israel at the ESC
Austrian musician JJ, full name Johannes Pietsch, is causing controversy after his victory at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest. The 24-year-old countertenor, who won first place with his emotional song "Wasted Love" in Basel, Switzerland on May 18, 2025, expressed negative comments about Israel's participation in the competition during a press conference. These statements, which were met with massive public criticism, not only sparked political discussions but also mobilized celebrities.
Publisher Christian Mucha responded to JJ's criticism and warned of the possible negative impact on Austria's international reputation. He emphasized the unifying power of music and pointed to John Lennon's famous song "Imagine" as an example of peace-building art. Mucha criticized JJ's statements as fundamentally false and made it clear that Austria's history regarding the Holocaust needed to be seriously examined. “JJ could have sent a positive message instead of wasting an opportunity,” Mucha said.
Opponents and supporters during the competition
The Eurovision Song Contest, watched by around 160 million viewers, featured 26 countries selected from 37 entrants in two semi-finals. Despite the exciting musical performances, there were protests against Israel's participation by pro-Palestinian demonstrators during the competition. However, JJ emphasized in his statements that his song's message depicted the strength of love and advocated for acceptance and equality.
The results of the competition illustrate the diversity of musical styles and the tensions within European societies. Israel's singer Yuval Raphael took second place with her song "New Day Will Rise", while Estonia's Tommy Cash took third place with "Espresso Macchiato". Over the years, the ESC has developed from a non-political music competition into a platform for social and political statements, as recent years have shown.
A stage for political messages
Loud daily news The Eurovision Song Contest has now become a reflection of the socio-political atmosphere in Europe. The victory of Swiss act Nemo 2024, who became the first non-binary person to win, is another example of how the ESC raises identity politics and social issues. The competition reflects social debates, such as the reactions to Brexit or the war in Ukraine.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has tightened the competition's code of conduct to demand respect for the values of Universe, diversity, equality and inclusivity. Eurovision director Martin Green explained that the aim of these changes was to restore a sense of unity and cohesion in a difficult world. This shows how the ESC today goes far beyond the scope of a pure music event.
Given these developments, it is unclear how JJ's comments and the associated controversies will affect the future of his career and Austria's image. The pressure to be noticed both artistically and politically may encourage JJ to choose his messages more carefully in the future.