Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after it was decided Israel could compete.
They were among a number of countries who had called for Israel to be excluded over the war in Gaza and accusations of unfair voting practices.
But at a meeting in Geneva where a vote was held on new safeguards, a “large majority” of members agreed there was no need for a further vote on participation and that Eurovision 2026 could proceed as planned, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said.
Spanish broadcaster RTVE, which had led calls for a secret ballot on the issue, said the decision had increased its “distrust of the festival’s organisation”. Ireland’s RTÉ said its “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.”
Spain is one of Eurovision’s “Big Five” members, alongside France, Germany, Italy and the UK, whose broadcasters provide the largest financial contributions to the EBU and whose entries go straight into the final.
Approximately 50 broadcasters, including the BBC, attended Thursday’s meeting to discuss the future of the contest, which is watched by more than 150 million people each year. They were asked to back new rules intended to discourage governments and third parties from organising voting campaigns, following allegations that Israel unfairly boosted this year’s entrant, Yuval Raphael.
BBC News understands that voting to accept those measures was tied to a clause agreeing not to proceed with a vote on Israel’s participation. “This vote means that all EBU members who wish to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 and agree to comply with the new rules are eligible to take part,” the EBU said.
Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said he was “pleased” members had the opportunity to debate Israel’s place in the contest before the vote. He described the discussion as “full, frank and honest”, adding that members had united around the view that Eurovision “shouldn’t be used as a political theatre” and must “retain some sense of neutrality”.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog praised the decision, calling it “an appreciated gesture of solidarity, brotherhood, and co-operation” and a “victory over those who seek to silence Israel and spread hatred”. He said he hoped Eurovision would remain a celebration of “culture, poetry, and friendship between peoples and cross-border cultural understanding”.
KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, also welcomed the result, describing the boycott attempt as a “cultural boycott”. CEO Golan Yochpaz warned that “a boycott may begin today – with Israel – but no-one knows where it will end or who else it may harm”.
The BBC, which broadcasts Eurovision in the UK, said it supported the EBU’s collective decision, calling the approach “inclusive”.
However, the decision exposed a deep rift within the Eurovision community. Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said participation was “incompatible with the public values that are essential to us”. RTVE reiterated that it had already agreed to withdraw if Israel were included and confirmed Spain would not broadcast the final or semi-finals. Slovenia’s broadcaster RTV also held its position, saying the rule changes “do not alter our view”.
Belgium’s broadcaster said it would take a position in the coming days.
In contrast, several Nordic broadcasters – including those from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland – issued a joint statement supporting the EBU’s decision to “address critical shortcomings” in the voting system. Iceland’s RÚV, however, said it would not announce its final decision on participation until next week.
Germany, which had threatened to leave the contest if Israel were removed, also welcomed the outcome. Broadcaster ARD said it was “looking forward to participating” and described Eurovision as “a celebration of cultural diversity and solidarity”, while expressing regret at the withdrawals.
Source: BBC
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