The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed that Israel will be permitted to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026, a decision that has prompted immediate boycotts from several major national broadcasters.
Major Broadcasters Announce Immediate Boycott
The decision, reached during the EBU's general assembly on Thursday 4 December 2025, was met with swift condemnation. Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, Spain's RTVE, and Ireland's RTE all issued statements confirming they will not take part in next year's contest. Sky News understands that Slovenia's broadcaster will also pull out.
In a strongly worded statement, RTE said it "will not participate nor will it broadcast the competition." The Irish broadcaster cited the "appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis" as making Ireland's participation "unconscionable."
AVROTROS stated that, under the current circumstances, participation "cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organisation." Spain's RTVE highlighted that its board had agreed in September to withdraw if Israel was included, a significant move given Spain's status as one of the financially crucial "Big Five" nations.
The Vote and New Rules
Members of the EBU were asked to vote in a secret ballot on whether they supported new rules announced in November, rather than holding a direct vote on Israel's participation. The EBU stated that members had shown "clear support for reforms to reinforce trust and protect neutrality."
These rule changes followed the 2025 contest in Basel, Switzerland, where Israeli entrant Yuval Raphael won the public vote, ultimately finishing as runner-up to Austria after the jury votes were counted. Ahead of the assembly, Israel's public broadcaster KAN said its CEO Golan Yochpaz and EBU representative Ayala Mizrahi would present its position against attempts to disqualify the country.
Significant Consequences for the Contest
The withdrawal of Spain, a "Big Five" member alongside France, Germany, Italy, and the UK, represents a major financial and symbolic blow to the contest. While the host broadcaster—Austria as 2025's winner—bears much of the cost, the Big Five contribute a significant portion of the budget.
The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further withdrawals. The EBU's decision sets the stage for a deeply contentious Eurovision 2026, highlighting how geopolitical tensions continue to impact the world's largest music competition.
