What to know about the Eurovision Song Contest as Israel’s participation sparks walkouts

The Eurovision Song Contest, which has long promoted itself as a celebration of music and unity, is facing unprecedented turmoil as four countries have withdrawn from the 2026 competition over Israel’s continued participation amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia announced they will not take part in next year’s contest in Vienna after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) declined to expel Israel over its military campaign in Gaza. Iceland is currently deliberating whether to join the boycott.

The withdrawals represent the most significant crisis in the contest’s 70-year history, threatening its standing as Europe’s premier musical showcase and dealing substantial blows to viewership, finances, and its mission of cultural unity.

“It’s unlikely we’ll see a mass exodus, but 2026 will be a tense year,” said Eurovision expert Paul Jordan on Friday.

Founded in 1956 partly to help reunite Europe after World War II, Eurovision explicitly prohibits political symbols and messages. However, global conflicts have frequently intruded upon the competition. Russia was expelled in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Tensions escalated after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people, and Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza that has resulted in more than 70,000 Palestinian deaths. The last two Eurovision contests witnessed pro-Palestinian demonstrations both outside venues and inside the events, prompting organizers to impose stricter controls on political expressions.

Several performers and participating nations have called for Israel’s removal from the competition, where it has participated since 1973 as one of the few non-European countries permitted to compete.

The Geneva-based EBU, which comprises public broadcasters from 56 countries and administers Eurovision, attempted to address concerns by implementing stricter rules on voting and campaigning. These changes followed allegations that Israel had manipulated public voting in favor of its competitor Yuval Raphael, who finished second in this year’s contest behind Austria’s JJ.

While the EBU’s general assembly approved these new regulations on Thursday, it did not hold a vote on Israel’s participation. The organization stated that “a large majority of members” believed the contest “should proceed as planned, with the additional safeguards in place.”

Eurovision Director Martin Green told Swedish television that the meeting reaffirmed “the belief that the Eurovision Song Contest shouldn’t be used as a political theater. It must retain some sense of neutrality.”

Immediately following the EBU decision, broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia announced their withdrawal. RTVE of Spain stated that the situation in Gaza, despite the recent ceasefire, and “Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event.” Ireland’s RTÉ declared participation was “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza.”

Other broadcasters, including Norway’s NRK and Britain’s BBC, expressed support for Israel’s continued inclusion. “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU,” the BBC stated. “This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also opposed a cultural boycott of Israel, saying: “I am pleased that Eurovision did not give in to pressure, and that France helped prevent a boycott of Israel in this forum.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the decision, stating on social media that he hoped “the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations and cross-border cultural understanding.”

The boycott creates significant financial and viewership challenges for Eurovision. Participating broadcasters largely fund the contest, with Spain being one of the “Big Five” countries that contribute most substantially to the event’s budget. The EBU does not disclose individual country contributions.

Viewers in boycotting countries may still access the competition via digital platforms like YouTube, and in the Netherlands, broadcaster NPO has announced it will air the show despite AVROTROS’s withdrawal.

More than two dozen countries have already confirmed their participation in Vienna, including seven-time champion Sweden. The boycotts are partially offset by the return of Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania to the competition after absences due to financial and artistic considerations.

The EBU plans to release a final list of participants before Christmas, with industry watchers closely monitoring the impact on viewership.

“If viewing figures are significantly down, then that’ll probably raise alarm bells,” said Jordan. “But I think overall the contest is a sturdy thing.”