EUROVISION 2026: Four Countries Announce Boycott Amid Israel's Return to Competition
In a shocking move, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands have decided to boycott next year's Eurovision song contest in Vienna, citing their opposition to Israel's reinstatement as a participating country. The decision comes after Israel was cleared by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to compete in 2026, despite calls from several broadcasters for its exclusion over the ongoing war in Gaza.
The EBU's general assembly met on Thursday without holding a vote on Israel's participation, instead adopting new rules designed to prevent governments and third parties from influencing voters. However, this move was deemed insufficient by several countries, including Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia, who have announced their withdrawal from the competition.
"Ireland feels that participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there," RTÉ said in a statement. The Spanish broadcaster RTVE echoed similar sentiments, stating that it would not broadcast the contest or semi-finals due to "insufficient" decision-making processes and engendering "distrust".
On the other hand, the BBC has indicated that it will continue to broadcast the competition, citing its support for collective decisions made by EBU members. The German broadcaster SWR has also confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026.
The Slovenian national broadcaster, RTVSLO, stated that participation "would conflict with its values of peace, equality and respect". The Dutch broadcaster Avrotros has also withdrawn from the competition, citing its inability to reconcile participation with public values.
Cultural Minister Ernest Urtasun from Spain praised RTVE for standing firm on human rights, saying "You can't whitewash Israel given the genocide in Gaza. Culture should be on the side of peace and justice."
The 2026 edition of Eurovision will take place in Vienna after Austria's win this year.
In a shocking move, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands have decided to boycott next year's Eurovision song contest in Vienna, citing their opposition to Israel's reinstatement as a participating country. The decision comes after Israel was cleared by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to compete in 2026, despite calls from several broadcasters for its exclusion over the ongoing war in Gaza.
The EBU's general assembly met on Thursday without holding a vote on Israel's participation, instead adopting new rules designed to prevent governments and third parties from influencing voters. However, this move was deemed insufficient by several countries, including Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia, who have announced their withdrawal from the competition.
"Ireland feels that participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there," RTÉ said in a statement. The Spanish broadcaster RTVE echoed similar sentiments, stating that it would not broadcast the contest or semi-finals due to "insufficient" decision-making processes and engendering "distrust".
On the other hand, the BBC has indicated that it will continue to broadcast the competition, citing its support for collective decisions made by EBU members. The German broadcaster SWR has also confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026.
The Slovenian national broadcaster, RTVSLO, stated that participation "would conflict with its values of peace, equality and respect". The Dutch broadcaster Avrotros has also withdrawn from the competition, citing its inability to reconcile participation with public values.
Cultural Minister Ernest Urtasun from Spain praised RTVE for standing firm on human rights, saying "You can't whitewash Israel given the genocide in Gaza. Culture should be on the side of peace and justice."
The 2026 edition of Eurovision will take place in Vienna after Austria's win this year.
I just don't get it why some countries are boycotting Eurovision over Israel joining back in... isn't it supposed to be about celebrating music & culture? 
I mean, I can see the concern for Gaza and all that, but is it really a Eurovision thing? 
Can we just not have wars while we're having fun watching our favorite artists perform on stage? 
. But can't we just talk it out instead of pulling out? 
.
, not division. And what does it say about our society that we can't even agree on something like this? 
Maybe it's time for the EU to take a closer look at how they're handling sensitive issues? 
over israel being allowed to compete... feel so bad for the israeli artists who wanna share their music with europe but i guess politics always wins 
anyway, hope spain's culture minister is right and people stand up for human rights 
still, i can understand why these countries feel strongly about it and wanna stand in solidarity with gaza... maybe there's more talk & pressure from ebu to reconsider israel's participation later on?
But instead its become a platform for ppl to fight & protest... I get it, Gaza situation is super sensitive, but boycotting the whole contest? Thats like throwin the baby out w/ the bath water, you know? 
. anyway, guess we'll c how the rest of eurovision 2026 goes down 
