During Eurovision 2022, a moment involving Israel’s representative Ben David generated significant discussion. The incident occurred on a Thursday after the live broadcast when he leaned into a playful kiss on the cheek of Laura Pausini, one of the premiere hosts, and also approached Alessandro Cattelan, another presenter. This moment quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the competition during the second semi-final and continued to spark conversation ahead of the grand final.
Specifically, in the break between performances and voting, the hosts and the Green Room audience witnessed Ben David stepping back into the spotlight with a wink of humor. He carried a glass in hand and, following the planned script, attempted a kiss on Pausini and then on Cattelan. The exchange was lighthearted and appeared unscripted, but it drew strong reactions from viewers and commentators.
The hosts did not show any visible displeasure with the surprise moment and played along as the host team continued their banter. The moment, while bold, was treated as a spontaneous interaction rather than a deliberate breach of protocol, and the script carried on with the evening’s proceedings without interruption.
While some media outlets speculated about possible disciplinary action, asserting that a disqualification could be considered due to the perceived lack of support during the Thursday semi-finals, representatives from Eurovision emphasized that such a path was unlikely. They noted that the nomination would be decided in the final, and there was no move to remove the contestant on the basis of this incident alone. This stance was echoed by multiple sources consulted by Eurovision coverage, who stressed that firing the participant would not have been a feasible outcome.
At the post-semi-final press conference, Pausini and Cattelan were asked about the kiss. They indicated that the moment did not disturb them and did not reflect any negative experience in their eyes. They added that the controversy surrounding the episode appeared disproportionate and unnecessary, underscoring that live television often blends spontaneity with performance in unpredictable ways.
Overall, the episode stands as a reminder of Eurovision’s unpredictable nature, where charm and humor can surface amid the competition, and the line between performance, personality, and protocol can blur in the moment. It remains a referenced example of how public reaction can outpace official responses, shaping ongoing conversations about the balance between entertainment and decorum on one of the world’s most watched musical platforms. The coverage surrounding the incident illustrates how fans and media interpret off-script exchanges during major broadcast events, and how organizers navigate the delicate balance between spontaneity and regulatory expectations in live performances. Attribution: Eurovision press reporting and subsequent coverage summarized for context.