"Four countries have announced that they are boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 because of the organizers' much-criticized decision to allow Israel to continue participating in the competition, despite its genocide. Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands are pulling out of the competition for next year, after the body behind the competition, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), refused to hold a vote on barring Israel on Thursday."
"In a statement, the EBU said 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." The dissenting countries' broadcasters cited Israel's genocide in Gaza as their reason for boycotting. Ireland's national broadcaster, RTÉ, said it felt "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.""
Advocates denounced contest organizers for 'helping to enable and whitewash Israel's ongoing genocide.' Protestors and activists from BDS demonstrated with Palestinian flags and a banner reading 'Country of apartheid ... Israel' prior to the Eurovision 2025 grand final in Basel. Four countries announced boycotts of Eurovision 2026: Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands, after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) refused to hold a vote on barring Israel. The EBU said all members willing to comply with new rules are eligible to participate. The dissenting broadcasters cited Israel's genocide in Gaza as their reason for withdrawing. RTÉ called participation 'unconscionable' given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Spain said the vote shows Eurovision is dominated by geopolitical interests.
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