Israel was yesterday cleared to enter the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, prompting Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia to follow through on their threats to withdraw from the competition over the Gaza war.
After a meeting in Geneva, contest organiser the European Broadcasting Union decided not to call a vote on Israel’s participation, and said it had instead passed rules aimed at discouraging governments from influencing the contest.
Right after that announcement, the Dutch, Spanish and Irish broadcasters said they would withdraw from the competition, meaning singers from their countries will not compete in the contest, which draws millions of viewers worldwide.
Irish broadcaster RTE said it felt “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”.
Natalija Gorscak, head of Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenija, said her country had also withdrawn.
The broadcasters who had threatened to boycott the event accused Israel of flouting rules meant to guard the contest’s neutrality.
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