Eurovision turmoil: Long-running political hostility toward Israel fuels new boycotts

Israel was approved on Thursday to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, prompting Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia to withdraw and pushing the event into one of the most divisive moments in its history.

The four broadcasters said the scale of the Gaza war made participation impossible and accused Israel of violating the contest’s neutrality rules. 

Israel rejected the criticism, calling the effort to exclude it a “cultural boycott.” Some observers argue that Spain and Ireland have taken positions hostile to Israel for many years, a stance critics say at times reflects political attitudes that drift uncomfortably close to antisemitism. Both governments deny such characterisations and say their positions are rooted in human rights concerns.

After a meeting in Geneva, the European Broadcasting Union decided not to hold a vote on Israel’s eligibility. Instead, it introduced new rules aimed at limiting political influence and preventing governments from shaping the contest. Minutes after the announcement, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands said they would pull out, with Slovenia soon following.

Ireland’s RTE said competing remained “unconscionable” given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Slovenia’s broadcaster said it was withdrawing “on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza.”

The EBU said its members backed the new rules, confirming that any broadcaster willing to comply would be eligible to participate. Eurovision director Martin Green said the outcome showed a clear desire to “protect the neutrality of the competition.”

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog welcomed the decision. Germany, a major supporter of Eurovision, had indicated it might withdraw if Israel were barred.

Israel’s 2025 contestant, Yuval Raphael, was present at the Nova music festival targeted in the October 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and triggered the Gaza war, in which more than 70,000 have since been killed according to Gaza health authorities.