Countries Withdraw from Eurovision Amid Controversy Over Israel

Countries are withdrawing from the Eurovision Song Contest due to ongoing tensions surrounding Israel’s participation. Following a meeting in Geneva, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced it would not hold a vote on Israel’s inclusion. Instead, it implemented new rules aimed at discouraging governmental influence in the competition. This decision provoked immediate reactions from broadcasters in the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland, who declared their withdrawal from the contest, impacting a competition watched by millions globally.

Irish broadcaster RTE expressed deep concerns, stating, “Ireland’s 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.” Similarly, Natalija Gorscak, head of Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenija, confirmed to Reuters that Slovenia would also withdraw from the contest.

The EBU’s new regulations aim to prevent governments and third parties from exerting undue influence over the contest, particularly in light of accusations that Israel unfairly promoted its representative. The EBU stated, “This vote means that all EBU Members who wish to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 and agree to comply with the new rules are eligible to take part.” This move has highlighted the longstanding divisions among Eurovision participants, which often intertwine national rivalries and political issues.

The Dutch broadcaster articulated its stance, concluding, “Under the current circumstances, participation cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organisation.” The reaction from Israel was notably supportive, with President Isaac Herzog thanking supporters for their backing. He remarked, “I am pleased that Israel will once again participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, and I hope that the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations, and cross-border cultural understanding.”

Germany, a significant supporter of Eurovision, had previously indicated it would withdraw if Israel were excluded. Prior to the EBU’s announcement, Israeli public broadcaster KAN was already preparing for the next contest. The context of this decision is particularly sensitive, as Israel’s 2025 entrant, Yuval Raphael, was present at the Nova music festival, a site targeted during the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and left 251 individuals taken hostage.

In the ongoing conflict, over 70,000 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in Gaza, according to health authorities in the region. As the Eurovision Song Contest approaches, these political and humanitarian issues continue to shape the narrative surrounding the event, raising questions about the intersection of culture and geopolitics in one of the world’s most popular music competitions.