Escalating Tensions: Countries Withdraw from Eurovision Over Israel's Participation

At least four countries have withdrawn from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest over Israel's participation. Public broadcasters from Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia announced their decision after the European Broadcasting Union, which oversees the contest, allowed Israel to compete despite ongoing concerns related to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

In a meeting, EBU members decided to implement tougher voting rules due to allegations of vote manipulation in favor of Israeli contestants but did not exclude any broadcaster from the event. Dean Vuletic, a Eurovision expert, called this a historic crisis for the EBU, predicting significant political boycotts leading up to the contest's 70th anniversary in Vienna next May.

Iceland is also considering its participation, with discussions scheduled for next week. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed support for Israel's involvement, emphasizing cultural exchange through music.

In contrast, the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS stated that Israel's participation conflicts with its responsibilities as a public broadcaster, while Spain's RTVE cited the situation in Gaza as a reason for its withdrawal.

Ireland's RTE echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a key factor in its decision. The war has resulted in significant casualties, with over 70,000 reported dead in Gaza, according to its Health Ministry.

Claims of genocide against Israel's actions have been made by various experts, which Israel has vehemently denied. This political discord comes amidst broader concerns over Eurovision's neutrality, as previous contests have faced protests related to geopolitical issues, exemplified by Russia's expulsion following its invasion of Ukraine.

The withdrawal of major broadcasters could impact viewership and funding for the contest, which has already experienced financial strain. The final list of participating countries will be announced by Christmas.