SPAIN, Ireland, The Netherlands and Slovenia have dramatically pulled out of Eurovision after crunch talks ended with a ruling that Israel will be allowed to stay in the contest.
The tense discussions last night came after Germany, Italy and next year’s hosts Austria suggested they would withdraw if Israel were banned from competing.
The European Broadcasting Union met yesterday to discuss Israel’s participation amid growing calls for them to be removed, due to the nation’s conflict with Palestine.
It was announced that “targeted changes” would be brought in for the 2026 contest in Vienna which are “designed to reinforce trust, transparency and the neutrality of the event.”
The changes being introduced will allow any EBU members which wish to participate in the contest, agree to comply by the rules and are eligible, will be able to take part.
However, minutes after the announcement, Spain, one of the contest’s “Big Five” competitors – which provide the most financial backing – said it was withdrawing.
The nation’s broadcaster RTVE, as well as Ireland’s RTE, will not compete or broadcast the show.
A spokesperson for the Irish broadcaster said: “RTÉ feels that 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.
“RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory.”
Spain’s RTVE secretary general Alfonso Morales said suggested measures were “insufficient,” adding: “We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN in Eurovision 2026.
“The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, and Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event.”
General director of Dutch broadcaster Avrotros, Taco Zimmerman, said: “Universal values such as humanity and press freedom have been seriously compromised, and for us, these values are non-negotiable.”
The event has been plagued by protests in the past two years due to Israel’s involvement.
In May, Israel’s Yuval Raphael – who is a survivor of the Nova music festival where 378 people were killed by Hamas on October 7 2023 – came first in the televote with her song New Day Will Rise, but finished second overall.
Last year, Israel came second in the televote and finished fifth on the leaderboard.
The 70th edition of Eurovision, originally created to unite Europe after World War II, is due to take place on May 16 at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria.
Broadcasters in Iceland and Belgium said they would be meeting in the coming days to decide their future at the contest.
EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci said: “These discussions have led to meaningful changes to the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, ensuring it remains a place for unity and cultural exchange.”
