Eurovision

Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, and Slovenia refuse to participate in next year’s event after calling for Israel to be banned.

Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have said they will boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, following the decision to allow Israel to compete.

The response on Thursday came immediately after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the competition, said there would not be a vote on whether to exclude Israel, despite calls from some countries to do so.

Opponents of Israel’s participation criticise it over its genocidal war on Palestinians in Gaza – which has so far killed at least 70,125 people – and over allegations that it unfairly intervened in the most recent competition to the benefit of its entrant.

In a statement which cleared Israel to take part, the EBU said on Thursday that its members had shown “clear support for reforms to reinforce trust and protect [the] neutrality” of the contest.

The changes, which include the reintroduction of an expanded professional jury at the semifinal stage, aim to discourage governments and third parties from disproportionately promoting songs to sway voters.

In response to Israel’s inclusion, the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said that “under the current circumstances, participation cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organisation”.

It has accused Israel of “proven interference” in last year’s contest while also noting its “serious violation of press freedom” during the Gaza war.

Ireland will not take part in Eurovision 2026 either, with its broadcaster RTE citing “the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and humanitarian crisis” as the reason for its boycott.

Nor will Slovenia, whose national broadcaster said that its move came “on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza”.

Meanwhile, Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE also announced that it would also not participate in the event in Vienna, which will be the contest’s 70th edition.

“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, make it increasingly difficult to keep Eurovision a neutral cultural event,” its secretary-general, Alfonso Morales, said in a statement.

Not all countries took the same stance. In the lead-up to the EBU’s decision, Germany said it would not take part if Israel were barred.

“Israel belongs in the Eurovision Song Contest,” said German Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the EBU announcement, arguing that his country, which says it faces a global smear campaign, “deserves to be represented on every stage around the world”.

SPAIN, Ireland, The Netherlands and Slovenia have dramatically pulled out of Eurovision after crunch talks ended with a ruling that Israel will be allowed to stay in the contest.

The tense discussions last night came after Germany, Italy and next year’s hosts Austria suggested they would withdraw if Israel were banned from competing.

The European Broadcasting Union met yesterday to discuss Israel’s participation amid growing calls for them to be removed, due to the nation’s conflict with Palestine.

It was announced that “targeted changes” would be brought in for the 2026 contest in Vienna which are “designed to reinforce trust, transparency and the neutrality of the event.”

The changes being introduced will allow any EBU members which wish to participate in the contest, agree to comply by the rules and are eligible, will be able to take part.

However, minutes after the announcement, Spain, one of the contest’s “Big Five” competitors – which provide the most financial backing – said it was withdrawing.

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The nation’s broadcaster RTVE, as well as Ireland’s RTE, will not compete or broadcast the show.

A spokesperson for the Irish broadcaster said: “RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains 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.

“RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory.”

Spain’s RTVE secretary general Alfonso Morales said suggested measures were “insufficient,” adding: “We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN in Eurovision 2026.

“The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, and Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event.”

General director of Dutch broadcaster Avrotros, Taco Zimmerman, said: “Universal values such as humanity and press freedom have been seriously compromised, and for us, these values are non-negotiable.”

The event has been plagued by protests in the past two years due to Israel’s involvement.

In May, Israel’s Yuval Raphael – who is a survivor  of the Nova music festival where 378 people were killed by Hamas on October 7 2023 – came first in the televote with her song New Day Will Rise, but finished second overall.

Last year, Israel came second in the televote and finished fifth on the leaderboard.

The 70th edition of Eurovision, originally created to unite Europe after World War II, is due to take place on May 16 at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria.

Broadcasters in Iceland and Belgium said they would be meeting in the coming days to decide their future at the contest.

EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci said: “These discussions have led to meaningful changes to the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, ensuring it remains a place for unity and cultural exchange.”