The European Broadcasting Union has allowed Israel to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have announced a boycott of the contest, The Jerusalem Post reports.
“If no one was outraged when Russia began its invasion and was banned from international contests and Eurovision, then the same should happen to Israel,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.
The website notes that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) abstained from the vote on its participation. Shortly after this announcement, the Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS announced that it was withdrawing from the contest.
“After weighing the pros and cons, AVROTROS has concluded that participation in the current circumstances cannot be consistent with the social values that are fundamental to our organization,” the statement said.
It also said that Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip had crossed all limits.
Spain also announced its withdrawal from the contest, the website reported. José Pablo López, president of Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE, said the decision “should never have reached this level.”
“Sanctions against Israel for repeated violations at Eurovision should have been adopted at the executive level, not put to a vote. Today, the European Broadcasting Union is more driven by the political and commercial interests of the festival, which they were unable or unwilling to manage,” he said.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed admiration for the decision to allow Israel to participate in Eurovision.
“I hope that the contest will remain a celebration of culture, music, friendship between peoples, and cross-border cultural understanding,” he said.
Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar also praised the European Broadcasting Union’s decision.
“The European Broadcasting Union made the right decision to allow Israel to participate in Eurovision. Music unites people and countries, and I thank our partners for their generous support. The people of Israel will continue to create, unite, and enlighten the world,” he wrote.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in Vienna, Austria, on May 12, 14, and 16.
