Spain, one of the “Big Five” Eurovision countries, has become the first to announce a boycott of the Eurovision 2026 Song Contest if Israel is allowed to participate. This decision comes amid growing international concerns over Israel’s military actions in Gaza and adds fuel to the ongoing debate about whether Israel should be included in the prestigious entertainment event.
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What Happened
On Monday, RTVE, Spain’s national broadcaster, announced that its board voted to boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel is permitted to compete. The vote passed with 10 in favor and 4 against. The decision was made as a direct response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and follows similar calls from other European broadcasters.
The boycott comes just after a United Nations inquiry concluded that Israel committed massacres in Gaza. In a statement, RTVE revealed that it had already requested a serious debate with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) back in July about Israel’s participation. RTVE noted that Spain’s stance is supported by other countries and urged broadcasters to take a stand considering the political situation.
Who Was Involved
RTVE (Radiotelevisión Española)
Spain’s national broadcaster, RTVE, plays a key role in Spain’s Eurovision participation. It has been at the forefront of calling for Israel’s exclusion from the event, arguing that the geopolitical crisis makes participation inappropriate.
European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
The governing body for Eurovision, the EBU is currently consulting with its 37 member broadcasters about the future of the event amid global tensions and political pressures.
KAN (Israel’s National Public Broadcasting Corporation)
Despite the controversy, KAN has confirmed its intention to participate in Eurovision 2026. The broadcaster remains firm in its stance, continuing its preparation despite calls from other nations to boycott the event.
Background: Eurovision and Political Tensions
Eurovision is one of the most-watched entertainment events worldwide, with millions tuning in annually. The contest promotes cultural exchange, diversity, and unity through music. However, this year’s conflict has raised questions about the event’s long-standing commitment to political neutrality.
Several countries—including Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands—have already declared they will not participate if Israel is involved. These announcements have sparked debate over whether Eurovision can maintain its entertainment focus while ignoring global political crises.
Public and Social Media Reactions
The boycott announcement has triggered significant public discourse, particularly on social media platforms. Eurovision fans are divided—some praise Spain for taking a moral stance, while others argue that Eurovision should remain focused purely on music and entertainment.
Hashtags supporting and opposing the boycott have trended across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. The debate has also raised broader questions about the responsibility of artists and entertainment platforms during times of conflict.
What’s Next
Martin Österdahl, the director of Eurovision, stated that the EBU understands the concerns but respects that each national broadcaster will ultimately decide whether to participate. “We respect any decision broadcasters make,” he said.
The deadline for countries to confirm participation in Eurovision 2026 is December 2025. With time running out, some broadcasters are preparing to withdraw, while others—such as Germany and Luxembourg—are continuing consultations with the EBU.
As political tensions rise, the final lineup of Eurovision 2026 remains uncertain. More updates will follow as additional countries announce their positions.