Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia will boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was allowed to participate.
They were one of several countries to call for Israel’s exclusion due to the humanitarian damage caused by the Gaza war and accusations of unfair voting practices.
Despite calls for a vote on Israel’s participation, members instead approved a new set of rules to protect the integrity of the competition.
Irish state broadcaster RTE said it felt participation “remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of life in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis that continues to put the lives of countless civilians at risk.”
“Participation in the current situation is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us,” Dutch broadcaster Abrotros said in a statement.
Spanish broadcaster RTVE added, “The RTVE board agreed in September that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision if Israel remained part of it.”
“This withdrawal also means that RTVE will not broadcast the Eurovision 2026 final or qualifying semi-finals.”
RTVE led calls for Israel’s dismissal and called for a secret vote on its participation.
According to the broadcaster, organizers “rejected RTVE’s request,” adding, “This decision increases RTVE’s distrust of the festival organization and confirms the political pressure surrounding it.”
Slovenian broadcaster RTV added that its position also “remains unchanged.”
“Recent rule changes do not change our views. As a public broadcaster, RTV Slovenia is committed to upholding ethical principles and expects the same rules and standards to apply to all EBU members and all participating countries.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Israel’s decision to allow the competition, calling it “a highly regarded gesture of solidarity, brotherhood and cooperation that symbolizes victory over those who seek to silence Israel and spread hatred.”
“I am delighted that Israel is participating in Eurovision again,” he said. “I hope that this competition will remain a competition that sanctifies cultures, poetry, friendship between peoples and cultural understanding across borders.”
“Israel deserves to be represented on every stage in the world and I am fully and actively committed to that,” he added.
Iceland was also expected to boycott the tournament, but has not yet revealed what its plans are.
