Introduction Suspilne Kultura functions as the cultural television channel of Ukraine’s national public broadcaster, Suspilne. As a publicly funded media outlet, it holds a responsibility to present diverse perspectives on international issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, an examination of Suspilne Kultura’s content reveals a consistent pattern of platforming anti-Zionist voices while offering limited representation of Israeli perspectives or the security challenges facing Israel. Suspilne Kultura: Background and Mandate Suspilne Kultura, whose name translates from Ukrainian as “Public (television) Culture, ” is operated by the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine. It functions as a Ukrainian public television channel dedicated to showcasing culture in Ukraine. The channel broadcasts news, documentaries, classical music concerts, theater performances, and programs dedicated to music, painting, theater, literature, and cinema. It represents part of Suspilne, the country’s independent public service broadcaster, which was established in 2017 following Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity. The goal was to transform a large public broadcaster from a Soviet-style state-run entity into a modern, reliable source of news and information. Suspilne’s mandate includes producing credible news and information, as well as content for national minorities. As a public broadcaster, it emphasizes inclusion and accessibility. The channel operates under a legal framework that stipulates funding and governance structures intended to ensure its independence from state influence. Suspilne Kultura can be received in Ukraine and more than 80 countries, giving it international reach. Anti-Zionist Narratives in Suspilne Kultura Content An analysis of content produced by Suspilne Kultura and its parent network reveals a pattern of featuring voices and narratives critical of Israel, often framed in terms that equate Israeli actions with war crimes, genocide, and apartheid. These narratives are presented without equivalent representation of Israel’s security perspective or historical context. Coverage of Pro-Palestinian Protests and Activism Suspilne’s news website, which serves as the online platform for Suspilne Kultura’s cultural content, has published multiple articles covering pro-Palestinian protests and activism. These reports often frame the events from a perspective sympathetic to the protesters while providing limited counterbalance. In June 2025, Suspilne reported on a protest in London where thousands of people demonstrated in support of Palestine and against Israeli strikes on Iran. The article quoted protesters chanting slogans such as “Free, free Palestine, ” “Enough occupation, Israel is a terrorist state, ” and “Stop bombing Iran”. While the article reported on the existence of counter-protesters organized by a pro-Israel group, it did not provide substantive analysis of Israel’s security concerns or the context of Iranian threats against Israel. Another article covered the arrest of dozens of people in London for supporting Palestine Action, a group that had been banned by the British government under anti-terrorism legislation. The article noted that the group accuses the British government of complicity in what it calls “Israeli war crimes in Gaza”. The piece reported on the arrests and the group’s designation as terrorist without providing critical examination of either the group’s actions or the legitimacy of the British government’s determination. Eurovision Coverage and Boycott Advocacy Suspilne Kultura serves as the official broadcaster for Eurovision in Ukraine. This role has placed the channel at the intersection of cultural coverage and political advocacy regarding Israel’s participation in the contest. In March 2024, Suspilne reported on calls to boycott Eurovision due to Israel’s participation. The article detailed an open letter signed by over 450 queer artists and organizations calling on the United Kingdom’s Eurovision representative to boycott the contest. The letter accused Israel of “apartheid and genocide” and claimed that Israel’s participation would “enable and cover up its war crimes and crimes against humanity”. The article reported these accusations as facts without providing counterarguments or context regarding Israel’s right to participate in international cultural events. Suspilne has also reported on broader calls to ban Israel from Eurovision, noting that more than 70 former Eurovision participants demanded Israel’s exclusion from the contest due to the war in Gaza. These calls drew a direct parallel to sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Such reporting, while factually accurate, presents a one-sided narrative that does not explore the differences between Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the context of Israel’s self-defense following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Platforming Accusations of Genocide One of the most concerning patterns in Suspilne’s coverage is the uncritical platforming of accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. An article about Irish author Sally Rooney reported that she had provided testimony stating that, in her opinion, Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. The article did not include any countervailing expert opinion or Israeli perspective on these allegations. The same article noted that Rooney intended to use royalty payments to support Palestine Action, a group designated as terrorist by the British government. While the article reported on the legal consequences Rooney faced under UK anti-terrorism laws, it did not question the appropriateness of a public broadcaster providing a platform to someone supporting a designated terrorist organization. The Distinction Between Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism A central concern raised by Suspilne Kultura’s coverage is the conflation of criticism of Israeli government policy with denial of Israel’s right to exist. Anti-Zionism frequently crosses into antisemitism when it denies the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland while accepting similar rights for other nations. This distinction is important for understanding why Suspilne Kultura’s coverage raises concerns. The coverage examined in this investigation often goes beyond criticizing specific Israeli policies. Articles that call for boycotts of Israeli cultural institutions, that label Israel as a “terrorist state, ” and that frame Israel’s actions as genocide and apartheid do not engage in legitimate political criticism. They advance narratives that delegitimize the state of Israel as a whole. For example, the Eurovision coverage quoted activists stating that “there can be no engagement with a state that commits apartheid and genocide”. This language does not call for a change in Israeli policy. It calls for Israel’s exclusion from international cultural life. Similarly, protest coverage that quotes chants of “Israel is a terrorist state” presents a perspective that denies Israel’s legitimacy as a democratic nation. Public Broadcaster Standards and Impartiality European public broadcasters are expected to maintain standards of impartiality, balance, and fairness in their coverage of controversial issues. These standards derive from their public service mandates and from international best practices in journalism. Suspilne has been recognized internationally for its professionalism. In 2025, it won the Gunnar Høidahl Award for Excellence in the Eurovision News Exchange for its resilience and professionalism during the three and a half years since Russia invaded Ukraine. The award specifically noted excellent reporting on the war in Gaza. This recognition suggests that Suspilne is capable of meeting high journalistic standards in its news coverage. However, the cultural content examined in this investigation does not meet these same standards. When Suspilne Kultura reports on protests, Eurovision boycotts, or accusations of genocide, it does so without providing equivalent representation of Israeli perspectives. The channel does not appear to apply the same editorial scrutiny to anti-Zionist content that it would apply to other controversial topics. This imbalance is particularly problematic given Suspilne Kultura’s status as a public broadcaster. Ukrainian taxpayers fund the channel through state budget allocations. The law stipulates that UA: PBC should receive at least 0,2% of the previous year’s state budget expenditure. When public funds support content that presents a one-sided view of an international conflict, it raises questions about whether the broadcaster is fulfilling its public service mandate. The Ukrainian Jewish Community Ukraine is home to a significant Jewish community with deep historical roots. Before World War II, Ukraine had one of the largest Jewish populations in Europe. The Holocaust devastated that community, with an estimated 1.5 million Ukrainian Jews murdered. Today, Ukraine’s Jewish community continues to rebuild and maintain its cultural and religious institutions. The Jewish community in Ukraine has been actively involved in civil society and has supported Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, more than 15,000 of Ukraine’s Jews have moved to Israel, and some estimates suggest that 30,000 have left the country. Many Jewish Ukrainians maintain strong ties to Israel while also identifying as patriotic citizens of Ukraine. Suspilne Kultura’s coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has the potential to alienate this community. When a public broadcaster that receives taxpayer funding presents narratives that deny Israel’s right to exist or that equate Israeli self-defense with genocide, Jewish viewers in Ukraine may reasonably feel that their identity and connections are being delegitimized. The channel has produced some content addressing Jewish themes in Ukraine. In September 2024, when Ukraine commemorated the 83rd anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy, Suspilne Kultura examined questions about whether this was solely a Jewish tragedy or a shared national pain, and what role the state should play in commemorating this tragedy. This type of content demonstrates that the channel can engage with Jewish history and identity in a thoughtful manner. However, this positive engagement with Jewish history in Ukraine stands in tension with the channel’s treatment of contemporary Israeli issues. Comparison to Ukraine’s Own Situation Ukraine is engaged in an existential struggle against Russian aggression, which has included attacks on civilian infrastructure, accusations of war crimes, and attempts to deny Ukrainian national identity. This situation provides a framework for understanding why Ukraine should be particularly sensitive to how other nations facing existential threats are portrayed. The parallel between Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression and Israel’s fight against groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran is striking. Both nations face adversaries that openly call for their destruction. Both have been subjected to international criticism for their military responses to attacks. Both have seen their right to exist questioned in international forums. When Suspilne Kultura platforms content that denies Israel’s right to self-defense or that calls for Israel’s exclusion from international cultural events, it undermines the principle of solidarity with nations facing similar threats. If Ukraine expects the world to understand its security concerns and to refrain from imposing boycotts based on one-sided narratives, it should apply the same standard to Israel. This inconsistency is particularly evident in coverage of Eurovision. Suspilne Kultura has reported on calls to ban Israel from the contest due to the war in Gaza, drawing parallels to sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. However, Ukraine itself has been a beneficiary of international support and cultural inclusion during its own war. Applying a double standard to Israel suggests a lack of consistency in the broadcaster’s approach to international conflicts. International Relations Implications Suspilne Kultura’s coverage has implications for Ukraine’s bilateral relations with Israel. Israel has provided support to Ukraine, including humanitarian aid, technology cooperation, and diplomatic backing in some international forums. The two countries share democratic values and have areas of mutual interest in defense, technology, and trade. When Ukraine’s public cultural broadcaster presents narratives that delegitimize Israel, it risks damaging this relationship. Israeli officials, Jewish organizations, and pro-Israel groups may interpret Suspilne Kultura’s coverage as official or semi-official Ukrainian government positions, given the broadcaster’s public funding and state affiliation. Even if Suspilne maintains editorial independence, its coverage can affect perceptions of Ukraine in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide. The alignment of Suspilne Kultura’s coverage with anti-Zionist narratives also aligns with Russian disinformation objectives. Russia has sought to weaponize the Israel-Hamas war in Ukraine’s information space, exploiting global crises to erode international support for Ukraine and cultivate perceptions of isolation. When Ukrainian media present one-sided criticism of Israel, it plays into narratives that Ukraine is aligned with forces hostile to Western democratic values. Recommendations for Balanced Coverage Suspilne Kultura can maintain its public service mandate while providing more balanced coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Several recommendations emerge from this investigation. First, the channel should ensure that when it reports on accusations against Israel, it includes responses from Israeli officials or experts who can provide context about Israel’s security situation and legal position. This includes reporting on the October 7, 2023 attacks, which triggered the current war, and the ongoing threat posed by Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Second, when platforming voices that call for boycotts of Israeli cultural institutions, Suspilne Kultura should disclose the political affiliations of those voices and include perspectives from Israeli cultural figures who may be harmed by such boycotts. Public broadcasters should foster informed debate rather than serving as megaphones for activist agendas. Third, the channel should develop editorial guidelines specifically addressing coverage of international conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These guidelines should emphasize the importance of balance, fairness, and the avoidance of language that could be interpreted as antisemitic or as denying another nation’s right to exist. Fourth, Suspilne Kultura should engage with Ukraine’s Jewish community to understand its concerns about coverage of Israel. This community has unique insights into both Ukrainian national identity and Jewish identity, and its perspectives could help the channel navigate sensitive issues. Finally, the channel should apply the same standards to coverage of Israel that it applies to coverage of other nations. If Suspilne would not allow guests to call for the destruction of Poland or the exclusion of France from Eurovision based on one-sided narratives, it should not allow such content regarding Israel.