Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland Announce Boycott
Finland and Three Other Countries Also Call for Israel's Exclusion
With Israel set to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, scheduled to be held in Vienna, Austria next May, four countries have announced a boycott.
According to AFP and other sources on the 4th (local time), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) held a general assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, and announced, "All member broadcasters who wish to participate in next year's Eurovision and agree to comply with the new regulations will be eligible to participate."
The EBU added, "The majority of member broadcasters agreed that no additional vote was needed regarding participation," and, contrary to earlier expectations, did not hold a vote on Israel's participation.
On the 1st of last month (local time), pro-Palestinian protesters held flags and banners outside the studio of Ireland's public broadcaster RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann). The protesters are urging a boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
In response, Spain's public broadcaster RTVE, Ireland's RTE, the Netherlands' AVROTROS, and Slovenia's RTV declared immediately after the assembly that they would not participate in next year's contest. RTE stated, "Given the horrific loss of life in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis threatening countless civilians, Israel's participation is against our conscience," adding, "We will not even broadcast next year's contest."
Launched in 1956, Eurovision is an international music competition in which 56 member broadcasters of the EBU each send a representative singer to compete for the title. Austrian singer JJ (real name Johannes Piech) won this year's contest, so next year's event will be held in Vienna.
Controversy over Israel's participation has arisen every year since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Some countries have called for Israel to be barred from the contest, but these demands have not been accepted. As dissatisfaction among member broadcasters grew, the EBU suggested that Israel's public broadcaster KAN either temporarily withdraw from the contest or participate under the broadcaster's flag instead of the national flag, but these proposals were rejected.
Israel has also sparked other controversies. In last year's contest, Israeli singer Eden Golan initially attempted to participate with a song reminiscent of Hamas's surprise attack on Israel, but after accusations of violating political neutrality, the title and lyrics were changed. This year, Israel's representative Yuval Raphael received an overwhelming number of votes from viewers, leading to allegations of vote manipulation.
In addition to the four countries that have declared a boycott, broadcasters from Iceland, Belgium, Finland, and Sweden have also previously called for Israel's exclusion. Conversely, Germany, an ally of Israel, warned that it would not participate if Israel were excluded from the contest.
Meanwhile, regarding the EBU's decision, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, "I am pleased that Israel will once again participate in Eurovision," adding, "Israel deserves to take the stage on every platform around the world."
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