Eurovision hit by boycotts over allowing Israel to compete

Four countries withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest after organisers opted against voting on Israel's future participation, allowing the country to take part in next year's event.

Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands all announced they would boycott Eurovision, the world's largest live music competition, over the decision. Iceland said it was considering its position.

Widespread opposition to the war in Gaza had led to mounting calls for Israel to be excluded from the annual contest. There were suspicions, too, about the manipulation of the voting system to favour Israel at last year's event.

But the European Broadcasting Union said after a meeting in Geneva that there was “clear support” among members for reforms introduced to “reinforce trust and protect neutrality”.

“A large majority of members agreed that there was no need for a further vote on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should proceed as planned, with the additional safeguards in place,” the EBU said.

Moments after the organisation released its statement, public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia, who had all backed Israel's exclusion, said their countries would not take part next year.

“The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, and the use of the contest for political goals by Israel, makes it increasingly difficult to keep Eurovision a neutral cultural event,” said Alfonso Morales, secretary general of Spain's RTVE.

Ireland's RTE said its participation would be “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk”.

A demonstrator holding a sign that says 'Boycott Israel' participates in a rally in solidarity with Palestine, in Paris. EPA

Avrotros, a radio and TV broadcaster in the Netherlands, said Dutch involvement at next year's event “cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organisation”