Eurovision 2026 is facing its biggest political storm in decades as a growing number of broadcasters threaten to withdraw if Israel is allowed to compete.
While Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has called for RTVE to pull out if Israel is included, Ireland’s RTÉ was first to officially declare it would not take part, citing the “ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza,” the killing of journalists and restrictions on media access. The Netherlands’ AVROTROS followed on Friday, stating participation “will not be possible as long as Israel is admitted by the EBU [European Broadcasting Union],” arguing that the broadcaster’s values are incompatible with Israel’s conduct.
Slovenia’s RTVSLO has also informed the EBU that it will not participate under current circumstances. Iceland’s RÚV has signaled its involvement is “uncertain” pending a December decision by the EBU General Assembly.
The standoff comes as the EBU faces mounting pressure to balance its membership rules, which entitle all active members to compete, with calls from broadcasters to uphold principles around human rights and press freedom. A deadline for final participation confirmations has already been pushed to December.
If multiple broadcasters withdraw, the contest — known as Europe’s most watched entertainment show — could be significantly diminished both culturally and commercially. The 2026 edition is scheduled to take place next May in Vienna, Austria.
Eurovision has weathered political flashpoints before — from Russia’s exclusion following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 to Kyiv’s hosting bid in 2017 — but the current standoff threatens to splinter the contest from within, pitting member broadcasters against each other in a way not seen in the show’s modern history.
Since the latest war in Gaza erupted following the Oct. 7 attacks of 2013, Israel has competed in two Eurovision contests, both held against a backdrop of protest. In Malmo in 2014, thousands gathered in the Swedish city in protest at Israel’s participation while in Basel earlier this year, protestors attempted to rush onto the stage to disrupt Israeli singer Yuval Raphael’s performance.
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