Israeli Broadcaster Issues Official Apology After Armenian Flag Error During Live Eurovision Broadcast

The controversy surrounding the incorrect display of Armenia’s flag during a live Eurovision-related broadcast has now prompted an official response from Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN.

The incident, which immediately drew criticism from viewers and Eurovision fans online, occurred when Armenia was mistakenly shown with the flag of Azerbaijan during a live news segment connected to the Eurovision Song Contest. Given the long-standing political tensions between the two countries, the graphic error quickly became a sensitive issue and sparked widespread reaction on social media.

Following the broadcast, Armenia’s public broadcaster AMPTV reportedly requested official explanations from KAN regarding the incident. The matter soon escalated within the Eurovision community, with many fans demanding clarification from the Israeli broadcaster.

KAN General Director Golan Yochpaz has now responded with an official letter addressed to AMPTV representative Hovhannes Movsisyan, expressing regret over the mistake and stressing that the error was entirely unintentional.

In his statement, Yochpaz wrote:

“I was delighted to meet you at the reception prior to the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude for the friendly relations between our organizations, as we both share a vital commitment to the mission of public broadcasting.”

He then directly addressed the controversial broadcast incident:

“Further to our conversation, I wish to address the error made during a recent Kan news broadcast, in which the incorrect flag of your country was displayed.”

According to the letter, KAN’s news division conducted an internal investigation into the matter and concluded that the mistake resulted from an inadvertent graphic error:

“In an investigation conducted by the news division, it was determined that this was a purely graphic error that occurred inadvertently and in good faith. We recognize that such an error should not have occurred, and we sincerely regret any misunderstanding it may have caused.”

Yochpaz closed the statement by reaffirming his respect toward the Armenian broadcaster and its representatives.

Although KAN has described the incident as a technical mistake rather than a deliberate act, the situation once again underlines how closely Eurovision-related broadcasts are monitored by audiences across Europe — especially when national identity and symbolism are involved.