Spain will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel takes part, public broadcaster RTVE announced Tuesday, marking Spain as the first of the “big five” nations, which provide the most funding for the event, to threaten withdrawal. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will decide on Israel’s participation at its general assembly in December.
Spain’s Stance on Israel’s Participation
The Spanish Culture Minister, Ernest Urtasun, stated Monday that Spain should boycott the event due to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, as socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez echoed this sentiment in May, arguing for Israel’s exclusion similar to Russia’s ban since its 2022 Ukraine invasion. Sanchez recently called for Israel’s exclusion from international sports, citing the Gaza war.
Eurovision is the world’s largest live televised music event, with this year’s edition in Basel attracting 166 million viewers across 37 countries. Austrian singer JJ won the competition, securing Vienna as the host for the 2026 edition.
Other Countries’ Reactions
Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands have also threatened to boycott next year’s event if Israel participates, joining Spain in expressing their concerns over Israel’s involvement.
The EBU launched a consultation with all members in July to discuss Israel’s participation, as they will explore managing participation, geopolitical tensions, and how other organizations have handled similar challenges. Pro-Palestinian activists protested in Malmo, Sweden, and Basel, Switzerland, over Israel’s participation in the contest.
Five countries—Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—that make the biggest financial contributions to the EBU get an automatic qualification for the Eurovision final.
Spain’s potential boycott highlights the intersection of culture and politics, raising questions about the future of international events amid ongoing conflicts.
