Ireland and the Netherlands Among Four Nations Refusing to Participate in 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Protest Against Israel

Eurovision Controversy Leads to Withdrawals

Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain have decided to skip the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest due to the inclusion of Israel. The broadcasters from these countries made their announcement on Thursday, following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision not to vote on Israel’s participation. There’s been substantial criticism regarding Israel’s presence, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as reported by CBC.

This year’s Eurovision typically garners over 100 million viewers; however, political tensions have once again cast a shadow over the event.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS expressed that Israel’s participation is “incompatible with the public values that form the basis of our organization,” according to CBC.

RTÉ from Ireland highlighted the “horrific loss of life and humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” while Slovenia’s broadcaster mentioned their stance on behalf of the “20,000 children who have died in Gaza,” as reported by their station. Meanwhile, Spain’s Secretary General Alfonso Morales noted that while a ceasefire and peace efforts are ongoing, the situation in Gaza and Israel’s “exploitation of the contest for political ends” complicate the notion of Eurovision as a neutral cultural event.

Conversely, Israeli President Isaac Herzog took to social media to celebrate the decision, stating that “Israel deserves to be represented on every stage of the world.” He expressed his gratitude to those defending Israel’s participation.