Ireland, Netherlands and Spain Announce Eurovision Boycott After EBU Confirms Israel’s Participation for 2026 Contest.
A growing rift has emerged within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) after several public broadcasters announced they will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, following the organisation’s decision to allow Israel to compete next year.
The contest, scheduled to take place in Austria in May 2026, has already become one of the most politically charged editions in its history.
On Thursday, EBU members decided not to hold a vote on Israel’s participation, despite months of pressure and public criticism over the country’s conduct in Gaza.
The decision came alongside the adoption of stricter rules aimed at preventing vote manipulation—measures introduced after allegations that Israel unfairly boosted support for its 2024 and 2025 entrants.
Shortly after the announcement, public broadcasters from Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia confirmed they would not take part, citing ethical concerns and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Broadcasters in Belgium, Finland, Sweden and Iceland had previously warned they might also withdraw if Israel remained in the competition.
Ireland’s state broadcaster RTÉ issued one of the strongest statements, calling participation “unconscionable given the appalling loss of life in Gaza.” Dutch broadcaster Avrotros, which oversees the Netherlands’ Eurovision entry, said the contest could no longer be reconciled with its core public values.
“Culture unites, but not at any price,” Avrotros director Taco Zimmerman stated, adding that universal values such as human dignity and press freedom had been “seriously compromised.”
Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE echoed these sentiments, insisting that Eurovision risks losing its cultural neutrality.
RTVE secretary general Alfonso Morales said the Gaza conflict and the perceived political use of Eurovision by Israel made continued participation “increasingly difficult.”
Slovenia’s broadcaster RTV Slovenia also confirmed its exit, with board chairwoman Natalija Gorščak emphasising the public’s demand for a principled stance.
“Eurovision has always been a place for joy and unity through music—and it should remain that way,” she said.
Despite these withdrawals, the EBU insisted there was “clear support” among members for reforms that reinforce the contest’s neutrality.
New rules will limit the number of public votes, reintroduce juries to the semi-finals, and restrict government involvement in promotional campaigns. According to the EBU, any member that agrees to the updated rules may participate in 2026.
Israel welcomed the ruling. President Isaac Herzog said the country “deserves to be represented on every stage,” adding that Eurovision should continue to champion cultural exchange and cross-border friendship.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticised the boycotting nations, calling their decisions “a disgrace.”
In the United Kingdom, the Conservative Party also voiced support for Israel’s inclusion, describing the wave of boycotts as “deeply concerning.”
Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston urged that music “must remain a uniting force, not a political weapon.”
The controversy follows two consecutive Eurovision contests marked by large-scale protests, intense public debate and allegations of vote interference.
Israel’s 2025 contestant, Yuval Raphael, an October 7 survivor, was heavily booed during her performance in Switzerland—yet still secured second place due to overwhelming public votes.
As preparations for the 2026 contest continue, the EBU faces mounting pressure to strike a balance between artistic freedom and geopolitical tensions.
For now, the union insists that Eurovision will proceed as planned, even as some of Europe’s most prominent broadcasters step away from the world’s biggest musical stage.