Countries Boycott Eurovision 2026 Over Israel's Participation

At least four countries, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia, have announced their boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 due to Israel's participation. This decision follows a meeting of the European Broadcasting Union, which oversees the contest, where no vote was held to exclude Israel, despite calls from several broadcasters for such a measure in light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The EBU instead voted to implement new voting rules to prevent undue influence on public polling, which some countries perceived as insufficient. Spain's RTVE stated that participation was 'unconscionable' given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while Ireland's RTE echoed similar sentiments regarding the loss of lives.

Slovenia's RTVSLO emphasized that participation would conflict with its values of peace and equality. These boycotts signify a rising trend of politicization within the contest, which traditionally aims to focus on cultural celebration.

Eurovision expert Dean Vuletic noted that the upcoming event could see the largest political boycott in its history, with potential implications for viewership and funding as major broadcasters withdraw.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed satisfaction that Israel will continue to participate, framing the event as a platform for cultural dialogue. The controversy surrounding Israel's participation is not new, as similar tensions arose previously, notably with the expulsion of Russia from Eurovision in 2022.

The final list of participating countries will be announced by Christmas, amidst ongoing discussions about the political implications of participation in the contest.