Four countries withdraw from Eurovision 2026 after Israel confirmed

A decision by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to confirm Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest has triggered a wave of withdrawals, with at least four national broadcasters pulling out of the competition. The EBU's General Assembly in Geneva voted on Thursday to allow Israeli broadcaster KAN to take part in next year's event, scheduled for Vienna, Austria.

Official Statements Citing Gaza Crisis

Spain's public broadcaster RTVE was among the first to announce its withdrawal, stating it would neither participate nor broadcast the contest. RTVE Secretary General Alfonso Morales cited "political interference" and argued the situation in Gaza made it "increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event." Similarly, Ireland's RTE declared participation "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis," while the Netherlands' AVROTROS cited the humanitarian situation and restrictions on press freedom as conflicting with its values.

Additional Withdrawals and Pending Decisions

Slovenia's RTV also confirmed its withdrawal, with Chairwoman Natalija Gorscak stating, "Our message is: we will not participate in the ESC if Israel is there. On behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza." The decision has prompted further deliberation elsewhere; Iceland's RUV board is set to discuss whether to participate, while Belgium's broadcasters are split—the Flemish VRT will broadcast the event, but the French-speaking RTBF has yet to announce its position.

Controversy Over the Event's Non-Political Stance

The coordinated withdrawals represent a significant challenge to the EBU's long-standing assertion that the Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event. The move echoes previous controversies, including calls to exclude Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The growing boycott underscores how geopolitical conflicts are increasingly influencing major cultural institutions, potentially affecting the scale and composition of the 2026 contest.