At Least Five Countries Threaten Eurovision 2026 Boycott Over Israel Participation

Several European countries, including the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Iceland, have threatened to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate, citing the ongoing war in Gaza and the resulting human suffering, including the targeted killing of journalists. Dutch broadcaster AvroTros and Irish broadcaster RTÉ have stated that their participation would be unconscionable while the conflict continues. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the contest, has resisted calls to exclude Israel but is currently engaged in consultations with its members to address the geopolitical tensions affecting participation. Eurovision's director, Martin Green, affirmed that each member country can decide freely whether to participate, and their decisions will be respected. The contest is scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria, in 2026, with broadcasters needing to confirm their participation by mid-December. The controversy reflects wider calls from European officials and artists to avoid normalizing Israel's presence in international events amid the conflict in Gaza.