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The Eurovision Song Contest is facing a significant crisis after four countries—Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia—announced they will boycott the 2026 event. The decision came immediately after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed Israel's eligibility to compete, a move that has deepened a significant rift within the Eurovision community.
The controversy escalated during a general assembly in Geneva, where the EBU opted against holding a direct vote on Israel's exclusion. Instead, members voted on a package of new rules aimed at reinforcing the contest's neutrality and transparency, including changes to the voting system. According to an EBU statement, a "large majority" approved these measures, a decision tied to the agreement that no further vote on participation was necessary. This outcome was the result of a contentious EBU meeting where several broadcasters had pushed for a secret ballot on Israel's status.
Broadcasters from the boycotting nations cited the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the primary reason for their withdrawal. Ireland's RTÉ stated that its participation would be "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza." Similarly, Spain's RTVE expressed its "distrust of the festival's organisation" and noted the difficulty of keeping Eurovision a neutral cultural event. The Dutch broadcaster, Avrotros, concluded that participation was "incompatible with the public values that are essential to us."
The calls for Israel's exclusion have been intensifying, sparked by its military operations in Gaza, with critics drawing parallels to the EBU's 2022 decision to ban Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In addition to the war, allegations of unfair voting practices arose after Israel's strong showing in the 2025 public vote.
In contrast, Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the EBU's decision, calling it an "appreciate gesture of solidarity" against those seeking to "silence Israel." The EBU has maintained its position that the contest should not be used as a political platform. Other nations, such as Germany, had threatened to withdraw if Israel were excluded and praised the outcome. The UK's BBC, also an EBU member, stated its support for the "collective decision." The future participation of other members, including Iceland and Belgium, remains uncertain as the move has exposed deep divisions among broadcasters.
