Italy faces boycott campaign over Eurovision 2026 participation

A campaign calling for Italy’s withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest has been launched by USB – RAI, a trade union within Italy’s public broadcaster RAI. The petition, which aims to gather 3,000 signatures, urges Italy to join other countries in boycotting the event over ethical objections to Israel’s participation.

Union Calls for Ethical Leadership

In a statement, USB highlighted that Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands have already taken what they describe as “courageous decisions” to distance themselves from Eurovision. The union argued that for RAI, withdrawing from the contest and refusing to broadcast it would not only be an “ethical and empathetic stance” but also set an example of “moral leadership” on the international stage.

Broader Eurovision Boycott Movement

The Italian campaign aligns with growing boycott efforts across Europe. Recently, Iceland announced its withdrawal from the competition, while Portugal’s participation is also uncertain due to Israel’s involvement. A group of artists in Portugal has already declared they will refuse to perform in Vienna under current conditions.

Italy’s Eurovision Selection Process

Italy’s representative for Eurovision is traditionally chosen through the upcoming Sanremo Festival. The growing boycott movement may influence public and institutional attitudes ahead of the selection, placing pressure on RAI to reconsider its participation amid heightened political and ethical debates surrounding the contest.