Some countries are boycotting Eurovision as Israel is allowed to compete

Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands will boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was allowed to compete.

These countries were among a number that had requested Israel’s exclusion due to humanitarian losses in the war in Gaza and allegations of unfair voting practices.

Despite calls for a vote on Israel’s participation, the members instead approved a set of new rules aimed at protecting the integrity of the contest.

In a statement, the Dutch broadcaster “Avrotros” said that “participation under the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us.”

Spanish broadcaster RTVE added that “the RTVE board of directors agreed last September that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision if Israel were part of it.”

“This withdrawal also means that RTVE will not broadcast the Eurovision 2026 final… nor the preliminary semifinals,” it added.

RTVE had led calls for Israel’s exclusion and requested a secret vote on its participation.

According to the broadcaster, the organizers “denied RTVE’s request,” adding that “this decision increases RTVE’s distrust of the festival’s organization and confirms the political pressure surrounding it.”

Other broadcasters, including Slovenia and Iceland, are also expected to withdraw from the contest.

“KORÇA BOOM”