Boycott Calls Grow as Israel’s Participation in Eurovision Faces Vote

Eurovision, long billed as a celebration of unity through music, is facing growing turmoil as broadcasters and countries push back against Israel’s inclusion in the contest.

Slovenia, along with broadcasters in Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Iceland, has signaled it may boycott the 2026 competition if Israel is allowed to participate while its military campaign in Gaza continues.

“If Israel is there, we won’t be there,” Natalija Gorscak, president of Slovenia’s RTV broadcaster, told reporters.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the contest, announced it will hold an emergency vote next month to decide Israel’s eligibility. EBU President Delphine Ernotte-Cunci said the union “has never faced a divisive situation like this before” and that the board agreed it required a “broader democratic basis for a decision.”

‘A really complex picture’

Eurovision expert Paul Jordan said the EBU is grappling with one of its toughest tests.

“The organisers themselves haven’t always been consistent about enforcing their rules on politics,” he said. “As far as I’m aware, the Israeli broadcaster has not broken any rules. However, you could argue their inclusion could bring the contest into disrepute, which would be against the organisers’ rules.”

Israel finished third in 2023 with singer Noa Kirel’s entry Unicorn. Kirel defended her country’s right to compete.

“It’s not about politics, it’s never been like that, and we should keep it that way, to focus on music,” she said. “Hopefully people will understand and respect that, see the good side… and not the bad side.”

Mounting boycott pressure

Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia have confirmed they will boycott if Israel remains in the competition. Spain’s stance could prove pivotal, given its role as one of Eurovision’s five largest financial backers.

“Slovenia is a small country, and while our participation fee is peanuts, if there are more countries who are not participating it is seen in the budget,” Gorscak said.

She also criticized larger nations for hesitating to take a stand. “We can lie to ourselves and say ‘no, it’s not political’ but, you know, you can’t avoid politics,” she said. “European policy needs more balls. In certain moments somebody needs to decide, somebody needs to say ‘this is enough.’”

Germany’s broadcaster SWR said it supports the EBU’s consultation process and is seeking “a well-founded and sustainable agreement that aligns with the values of the EBU.”

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN warned that disqualification “could have wide-ranging implications for the competition and the values for which the EBU stands.”

Impact beyond the stage

Jordan noted that past artist protests often amounted to “virtue signaling,” with performers ultimately competing despite objections. But if entire countries withdraw, he said, the consequences could reshape the contest.

“There are two semi-finals because of the number of participating countries, and if there isn’t a need for two, that will impact the logistics of the event and even the funding,” he said.

For now, the Eurovision stage is less about power ballads and pop anthems than about politics, as one of the world’s most-watched cultural events faces its sharpest legitimacy test in decades.