Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after it was decided Israel could compete. They were among a number of countries who had called for Israel to be excluded over the war in Gaza and accusations of unfair voting practices.
But at a meeting in Geneva where a vote was held on new safeguards, a 'large majority' of members agreed there was no need for a further vote on participation, and that Eurovision 2026 could proceed as planned, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said.
Spanish broadcaster RTVE, which had led calls for a secret ballot on the issue, said the decision had increased its 'distrust of the festival's organisation'.
Ireland's RTÉ expressed that its 'participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.'
Approximately 50 broadcasters, including the BBC, attended the EBU meeting to discuss the future of the contest, which is watched by over 150 million people annually. During this meeting, new rules aimed at discouraging manipulation of voting patterns were discussed, which stemmed from allegations that Israel unfairly boosted its entry this past year.
Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, commented on the strong reception of the new rules, emphasizing the necessity for Eurovision to retain neutrality amidst political issues.
In response, Israel's representatives hailed the decision to allow them to compete as a triumph over boycotts and an endorsement of cultural representation.
However, the discord surrounding Israel's participation has left the Eurovision community divided, with broadcasters like the Dutch Avrotros stating that ongoing participation under current conditions contradicts their values. Spain has already confirmed it will not broadcast the competition next year, and Slovenia reiterated its commitment to ethical standards.
