The eurovision Song Contest, a globally recognized celebration of music and national pride, is facing unprecedented division as several broadcasters plan to boycott the 2026 competition. The dispute centers on Israel’s participation amid ongoing international concerns regarding the conflict in Gaza, and follows a recent vote by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on security measures. Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland have already confirmed their withdrawals, escalating pressure on the EBU to address the growing controversy ahead of the contest’s 70th anniversary.
Several European broadcasters have announced they will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following a vote regarding security measures, escalating a dispute over Israel’s participation in the event.
Spain’s RTVE, the Netherlands’ AVROTROS, and Ireland’s RTÉ confirmed their decisions after a closed-door vote among European Broadcasting Union (EBU) members, according to a statement released by the organization.
The vote centered on whether members were satisfied with new security arrangements announced last month. However, a majority of broadcasters agreed that a further vote on participation wasn’t necessary and that the 2026 contest should proceed as planned with the implemented safeguards.
The EBU stated that members expressed “clear support for the reforms to strengthen trust and protect the neutrality of the competition,” allowing all participating countries to take part. The organization emphasized its commitment to ensuring a fair and inclusive event.
Broadcasters will now be asked to formally confirm their participation in the 2026 contest. A complete list of participants for the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest will be announced before Christmas.
The decision comes amid growing international pressure regarding Israel’s participation, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the outcome, stating that his country “deserves to be represented on all world stages.”
“I am pleased that Israel will once again participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, and I hope that this competition will continue to be a competition that supports culture, music, friendship between nations, and cross-border cultural understanding,” Herzog wrote on X. “Thank you to all our friends who stood up for Israel’s right to continue participating and competing in Eurovision. This decision is a testament to solidarity, friendship, and cooperation, and strengthens the spirit of friendship between peoples through culture and music.”
Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands had previously threatened to withdraw from the 2026 contest if Israel was allowed to compete. Belgium, Finland, and Sweden were among other countries that had also considered a boycott related to the situation in Gaza.
The EBU had initially planned to hold a vote among its members in November, but postponed the decision after a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, took effect on October 10. The decision was then deferred to a general assembly held on Thursday and Friday.
Last month, in an attempt to avoid a contentious vote, the EBU announced changes to the voting regulations, responding to concerns raised by member broadcasters and aiming to strengthen “trust and transparency.”
At this week’s meeting, broadcasters were asked to consider whether the new measures were sufficient or if they still desired a vote on Israel’s participation. The development underscores the deep divisions within the EBU regarding the inclusion of Israel in the competition.
Austria’s public broadcaster ORF, which will host next year’s contest, had expressed hope for a consensus to ensure the maximum number of participants could perform in Vienna. However, other broadcasters have suggested the EBU’s new rules are inadequate.
Iceland’s national broadcaster RUV announced last week that it would call for Israel to be excluded from the competition before deciding on its own participation in next year’s Eurovision. Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE reiterated its intention to boycott Eurovision if Israel is permitted to compete.
“Israel has politically exploited this competition, attempting to influence the outcome and has not been penalized for doing so,” RTVE President José Pablo López stated.
Slovenia’s public broadcaster is also preparing to withdraw from the competition, as its recently approved budget does not include funds for participation in Eurovision. However, RTV Slovenija’s director, Nataša Goršak, indicated the broadcaster would reconsider participation if the EBU general assembly decides to exclude Israel.
The EBU’s rule changes followed concerns over the previous two contests, where Israel’s entries received relatively low scores from the professional jury but high scores from the public vote. This year, in Basel, Switzerland, Austrian singer Nemo won with Wasted Love, while Israel’s Yuval Rafaeli finished second.
Rafaeli received the most votes in the public vote, but was ranked significantly lower by the national expert juries. Several broadcasters that participated in the contest subsequently questioned the voting process.
Last year, in Malmö, Sweden, Israel’s representative Eden Golan placed fifth, despite receiving a much lower ranking from the juries.
Should Israel be excluded, it would not be the first time a country’s broadcaster has been barred from participation. Russia was excluded following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and Belarus was excluded the previous year after the disputed re-election of dictator Alexander Lukashenko.
