European Broadcasters Consider Boycott of Eurovision
Recently, five European public broadcasters—specifically from Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Spain—announced that they would withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel remains a participant. This decision comes amid ongoing protests against the conflict involving the terrorist organization Hamas and the tragic loss of civilian lives in Israel after October 7, 2023. Despite Israel’s strong track record in the competition, calls for its removal have echoed loudly within the Eurovision fan community.
The upcoming 2024 contest, set to take place in Malmö, Sweden, has already seen some tension. Artists in the competition reportedly found Israeli singer Eden Golan’s behavior to be excessively confrontational. In the following year, the stage in Basel, Switzerland, became a site of contention when a man made a throat-slitting gesture towards Israeli artist Yuvalrafael, who walked the event’s signature “turquoise carpet.”
In response to the backlash, several public broadcasters have hinted at boycotting the 2026 contest in Vienna if Israeli participation is allowed. Spain’s RTV made its position clear on Tuesday, stating they would withdraw if Israel takes part. As one of the “big five” countries in Eurovision, Spain plays a crucial role in the contest’s funding and organization.
RTVE President Jose Pablo Lopez stressed that the political implications of the event cannot be ignored. “Current events make it impossible for us to overlook the situation,” he remarked. He urged that Eurovision, often viewed as apolitical, inherently carries political overtones that should be acknowledged and addressed.
Despite the Eurovision Song Contest’s official stance against political content, controversies have been recurring themes. Instances of delegations pushing for political songs or making political statements during broadcasts have surfaced repeatedly. Just recently, RTVE aired a condemnation of Israel before the Grand Final of the contest.
Slovenia’s public broadcaster also announced its intention to exit the contest if Israel continues its participation. Ireland’s RTE followed suit, asserting that under the current circumstances, their involvement would be unacceptable. Notably, this year’s Irish competitor, a non-binary artist named Bambie Zag, openly criticized Israel during their performance.
Moreover, the Dutch broadcaster Avrotoros declared it would not take part if Israel is involved, referencing the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Netherlands has seen its share of controversies in recent years, including the disqualification of artist Joost Klein amid an incident that sparked rumors of hostility toward the Israeli delegation.
Interestingly, while some 2024 competitors expressed animosity toward Israel, the 2025 contest winner, Austrian JJ, called for Israel’s expulsion. He stated, “It’s very unfortunate to see Israel continue to participate in the contest.” Meanwhile, another 2025 contestant, Croatian Marco Bosnjak, extended that sentiment to Ukraine, suggesting that any country engaged in conflict should be disqualified from Eurovision.
Historically, Israel has participated in Eurovision since 1973, winning the contest four times, most recently in 2018. Its presence is notable among a mix of other non-European participants, such as Armenia and Australia.
As for the EBU, the final decision regarding Israel’s participation is pending. They have postponed their ruling to December, allowing countries time to weigh in on the matter. Reports from Israel hint that a middle ground could emerge, where Israel would compete but possibly under a neutral flag.
