Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and have officially announced they will boycott Eurovision 2026 because of Israel’s participation.Live TV
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Israel cleared to participate in Eurovision Song Contest
Louis Oelofse with AFP, AP, Reuters
Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and have officially announced they will boycott Eurovision 2026 because of Israel’s participation.
There were already calls for Israel’s withdrawal in 2024, the year Eden Golan represented the country alliance
Israel will take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, Israeli broadcaster Kan said.
Its entry was cleared after members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on Thursday chose not to hold a vote on banning the country, despite boycott threats from several broadcasters over Israel’s actions in the war in Gaza.
Following the EBU’s decision Spain, one of the so-called “Big Five” and among the largest contributors to Eurovision, said it would boycott the 2026 event because of Israel’s participation.
Eurovision host broadcasters in Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia also said they would withdraw from the song contest, which draws millions of viewers worldwide.
Other broadcasters have warned they may pull out, accusing Israel of violating rules meant to keep the contest politically neutral.
