Spain has announced it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is among the participating countries, becoming the latest nation to take such a stance in response to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
The board of the state broadcaster RTVE voted by a majority to withdraw from the 2026 competition should Israel be included. The motion passed by 10 votes to four, with one abstention. Spain is the first of Eurovision’s “big five” the largest financial contributors alongside France, Germany, Italy and the UK, to adopt this position.
The decision coincided with the release of a UN commission of inquiry report concluding that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. Slovenia, Ireland and the Netherlands have already announced similar boycotts.
In a statement, RTVE said: “In July, RTVE asked the EBU [European Broadcasting Union] for a serious and deep debate to be entered into over Israel’s participation in the next Eurovision festival. Other countries backed Spain’s request.” The broadcaster added that the decision would not affect Benidorm Fest, Spain’s national selection event, which it described as “a festival with its own full established reputation”.
The 2026 contest is scheduled to take place in Vienna in May. Eurovision attracts more than 160 million viewers worldwide. Russia was banned from the competition following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but Israel has continued to participate despite mounting international criticism over its actions in Gaza.
The EBU began a consultation process in July with the 37 broadcasters that took part last year, following a meeting in London hosted by the BBC to address divisions over Israel’s participation. While the deadline for confirming participation has been extended to December, broadcasters with autumn selection contests face pressure to decide sooner.
Slovenia’s RTV was the first to confirm its withdrawal, followed by Ireland’s RTÉ and the Netherlands’ Avrotros. The Dutch broadcaster cited concerns over press freedom and the safety of journalists in Gaza, echoing RTÉ’s statement that it would be “unconscionable” to take part under current circumstances. Iceland’s RÚV has said it is considering its position and reserves the right to withdraw.
Several Nordic countries have already begun their national selection shows but have indicated they may still pull out. Johanna Törn-Mangs, director of culture and factual content at Finland’s YLE, said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is tragic, and we sincerely hope for an end to the suffering as soon as possible. Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a significant topic of discussion in Finland and we have been consistently informing the EBU about the conversations happening here.”
Luxembourg’s RTL confirmed it would participate, citing Eurovision’s code of conduct as a “non-political, international entertainment event”. Germany’s ARD said it was engaged in the EBU’s consultation process.
Martin Green, the contest’s director, said: “We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. We are still consulting with all EBU members to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Eurovision Song Contest … It is up to each member to decide if they want to take part in the contest and we would respect any decision broadcasters make.”
Israel’s public broadcaster Kan has confirmed it intends to compete.
