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Countries Withdrawing from Eurovision 2026
List of countries that have publicly announced a boycott of the 2026 Eurovision contest.
Primary Sources
The 5 countries boycotting Eurovision 2026 — and the ones still ...
Eurovision is facing backlash, and boycotts, for a third year in a row.The 2026 contest of the annual European song contest is going into its first round of semifinals tonight with its lowest participant count since 2003, with a handful of countries opting out of airing the competition or sending their own participants because of Israel's participation.Though the country's participation in the contest has raised controversy for decades, backlash has been heightened since 2023, when their war on Gaza, which is still raging today, began.After it was permitted to compete this year again, multiple countries announced they would boycott, and 2024 winner Nemo (from Switzerland) as well as 1994 winner Charlie McGettigan (from Ireland) returned their trophies in protest of the decision.Moreover, sparking additional controversy, the week of the semifinals, the New York Times released an investigation alleging that Israel, via a well-organized campaign by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, engaged in a broad effort to attain votes in favor of the country, unfairly influencing the results through a mass voting campaign.Eurovision, which was first held in 1956, is run by the European Broadcasting Union, the world's biggest alliance of public-service media. Amnesty International has said that their decision to not suspend Israel from Eurovision, as it did with Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, was "an act of cowardice and an illustration of blatant double standards."See below for which countries have opted out of the competition in protest of Israel, and what they have said.1/5© Getty ImagesSpainLast year, when Spain first suggested they would be boycotting Eurovision, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Israel should not take part in international competitions, emphasizing: "Our position is clear and unequivocal: until the barbarity ceases, neither Russia nor Israel should participate in any international competition." Spain will in turn air its own musical special over Eurovision, titled The House of Music.2/5© Getty ImagesIrelandRaidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE), Ireland's public service broadcaster, confirmed in December they would neither be participating or airing Eurovision. "RTÉ feels that Ireland's 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. RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journ...
Broadcasters boycotting Eurovision 2026 amid backlash over Israel ...
The 70th anniversary of Eurovision will go ahead in Vienna on 16 May amid controversy and boycott calls over Israel’s participation, with Israeli entrant Noam Bettan set to perform a song titled 'Michelle'.When the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) officially confirmed Israel’s participation in December 2025, boycott calls quickly emerged from a number of countries and high-profile figures.Countries backing the boycott include the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Iceland and Ireland, while more than 1,000 artists have signed an open letter urging a Eurovision boycott and accusing organisers of hypocrisy after Russia was previously banned following its invasion of Ukraine.Here is what the five countries boycotting Eurovision in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza – which Palestinian health authorities say has killed at least 72,740 people – have said. GettyThe Netherlands – AVROTROS The Dutch broadcaster accused Israel of "proven interference" in last year’s contest and condemned what it described as a "serious violation of press freedom" during the war in Gaza.AVROTROS said that "under the current circumstances, participation cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organisation".Ireland – RTEThe Irish broadcaster said its decision to boycott Eurovision was driven by "the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and humanitarian crisis".Slovenia – RTV"Instead of the Eurovision circus, the national television program will be colored by the thematic program series 'Voices of Palestine,'" Slovenian broadcaster RTV said.It said they are boycotting participation "on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza".Spain – RTVE In a statement, RTVE's secretary-general, Alfonso Morales, said: "The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, and the use of the contest for political goals by Israel, make it increasingly difficult to keep Eurovision a neutral cultural event."Iceland – RUV"It is clear from the public debate in this country and the reaction to the EBU’s decision last week that there will be neither joy nor peace regarding RUV’s participation," RUV'S director-general Stefan Eiriksson said on 10 December. GettyAhead of the competition on Saturday, Amnesty International’s Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said: "The failure of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to suspend Israel from Eurovision, as it did with Russia, is an act of cowardice and an illustration of blatant double standards when it c...
Eurovision 2026 boycott explained as countries and broadcasters pull ...
The five nations announced their boycott in December, after Israel were given the all-clear to take part before participating broadcasters were given a vote on its inclusion. The Hamas-run health ministry estimates that 72,300 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's war in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7 2023.
Eurovision 2026 Boycotts Over Israel's Participation Explained
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is facing unprecedented controversy as multiple nations, including Spain, announce boycotts over Israel's continued participation. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, has faced three years of calls to exclude Israel but maintains its stance that Eurovision is an apolitical event.
