Eurovision Faces Historic Boycott as Broadcasters Withdraw Over Israel’s Participation
Amidst escalating political tensions, several European broadcasters have announced their withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following the decision to allow Israel to compete.
Geneva – A wave of protests is rocking the world of Eurovision as public broadcasters in Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia have pulled out of next year’s competition. The move comes after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) opted to permit Israel’s participation, igniting a fierce debate over the intersection of music and politics.
The withdrawals followed a general assembly of the EBU – an organization encompassing public broadcasters from 56 countries that manages the annual event – convened to address concerns surrounding Israel’s involvement, particularly in light of its conduct during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. While EBU members voted to implement stricter voting regulations in response to allegations of vote manipulation favoring Israeli contestants, no action was taken to exclude any broadcaster from the competition.
“It’s a historic moment for the European Broadcasting Union,” stated a leading Eurovision expert, Dean Vuletic. “This is certainly one of the most serious crises that the organization has ever faced. Next year, we’re going to see the biggest political boycott of Eurovision ever.” Vuletic, author of “Postwar Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest,” anticipates “tense” months ahead as other nations consider joining the boycott, potentially overshadowing the contest’s 70th anniversary celebration in Vienna next May. Icelandic broadcaster RUV is scheduled to meet next Wednesday to discuss its participation, with its board having previously recommended barring Israel from the event.
The EBU has acknowledged that RTVE in Spain, AVROTROS in the Netherlands, RTÉ in Ireland, and Slovenia’s RTVSLO have publicly declared their intention to abstain from the contest. A comprehensive list of participating countries is expected by Christmas, according to the EBU.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his satisfaction with Israel’s continued participation, stating on social platform X that he hopes “the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations and cross-border cultural understanding.” He added, “Thank you to all our friends who stood up for Israel’s right to continue to contribute and compete at Eurovision.”
Austria, the host nation following Viennese singer JJ’s victory this year with “Wasted Love,” has voiced its support for Israel’s participation, as have Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, according to Vuletic.
The Dutch broadcaster, AVROTROS, explained that Israel’s participation “is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster.” Spain’s RTVE cited the ongoing situation in Gaza and “Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes” as factors making it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision’s neutrality. RTÉ stated that Ireland’s participation “remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza” and the resulting humanitarian crisis.
Some broadcasters, responsible for their countries’ news coverage, highlighted the killings of journalists during the conflict in Gaza and Israel’s restrictions on international journalist access to the territory as key concerns. Golan Yochpaz, chief executive of Israeli broadcaster KAN, questioned whether EBU members were “willing to be part of a step that harms freedom of creation and freedom of expression.” KAN officials denied any involvement in campaigns to influence the results of the previous contest in Basel, Switzerland, where Israel’s Yuval Raphael finished second.
The annual pop music event, which attracts over 100 million viewers, has been increasingly impacted by the war in Gaza over the past two years, prompting protests and stricter regulations regarding political displays. The contest, traditionally focused on entertainment, has repeatedly found itself entangled in global events, as evidenced by Russia’s expulsion in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.
Protests against Israel’s participation have become a recurring feature at recent Eurovision events, occurring in Basel, Switzerland, in May and Malmo, Sweden, in 2024. Opponents point to the significant death toll in Gaza – exceeding 70,000, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas governance – as a primary justification for their stance. Israel defends its military campaign as a response to the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas-led militants, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 hostages.
Accusations of genocide have been leveled against Israel’s offensive in Gaza by experts commissioned by a U.N. body, claims vehemently denied by Israel, a nation deeply connected to the history of the Holocaust.
The boycott threatens to impact viewership and revenue, particularly as many broadcasters face financial pressures from funding cuts and the rise of social media. The withdrawal of Spain, a member of the “Big Five” – the largest contributing countries – and Ireland, a seven-time winner, represents a significant blow to the contest.
The controversy also casts a shadow over the planned return of Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania to the competition after periods of absence due to financial and artistic considerations. “Next year’s edition is certainly going to be one of the most politicized ever,” Vuletic concluded. “It’s the 70th anniversary. It was meant to be a big celebration, a big party, but it’s going to be shrouded in political controversy yet again.”
