Four European Union nations — Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands — have announced they will withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, citing objections to Israel’s continued participation amid the ongoing war in Gaza and allegations of political interference in last year’s competition.
The boycott declarations came shortly after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) approved new, stricter voting rules in response to claims that the 2025 contest was manipulated to boost Israel’s contestant. Broadcasters from several countries had previously urged the EBU to ban Israel, pointing to the ongoing conflict and accusations of vote-rigging.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS was the first to pull out, accusing the contest of violating “universal values” and condemning political meddling. Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ followed, citing the “appalling loss of life in Gaza,” an escalating humanitarian crisis, and Israel’s restrictions on press freedom. Slovenia’s RTVSLO said it could not share a stage “with a representative of a country that caused the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza,” while Spain’s RTVE later confirmed its own withdrawal after the EBU refused calls for a secret ballot on Israel’s participation.
The conflict has continued despite a US-brokered truce aimed at easing the crisis. According to local health authorities, more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its post-October 2023 military operation, while continued strikes have claimed hundreds more lives even during the ceasefire period.
Eurovision organizers say the new rules — which include capped audience voting, tighter promotional controls, and the reinstatement of juries for semifinals — are designed to prevent future interference and restore confidence in the event.
