What's happened
Spain has joined countries threatening to boycott Eurovision if Israel participates, citing Gaza conflict. The move follows protests and diplomatic tensions, with the European Broadcasting Union consulting members on managing geopolitical issues. The contest is scheduled for Vienna in May 2026.
What's behind the headline?
The decision by Spain to threaten a Eurovision boycott reflects broader geopolitical tensions influencing cultural events. The move is driven by protests against Israel's participation amid the Gaza conflict and diplomatic strains, notably after protests disrupted the Spanish Vuelta. The EBU's ongoing consultation indicates a potential shift in how geopolitical issues will be managed in future contests. This situation underscores how international conflicts increasingly impact global cultural events, risking the neutrality traditionally associated with Eurovision. The threat of a boycott by multiple countries could lead to a significant diplomatic and organizational crisis, possibly affecting the contest's future format and participation rules. The timing suggests that these tensions will likely intensify as the 2026 event approaches, with the EBU under pressure to balance political sensitivities and the contest's apolitical reputation.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that Spain's RTVE made the decision at a Madrid board meeting, amid protests and diplomatic tensions with Israel. The Independent highlights Spain's prime minister's call for a ban on Israel from sporting events, linking it to recent protests and the Gaza conflict. AP News emphasizes the broader context of threats from other countries and the EBU's ongoing consultation process. All sources note the potential impact on Eurovision's future and the political nature of the controversy, with some pointing out the historical exclusion of Russia and the ongoing disputes over Israel's participation.
How we got here
The controversy over Israel's participation in Eurovision has escalated amid geopolitical tensions related to the Gaza conflict. Several countries, including the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and now Spain, threaten to boycott if Israel competes. The European Broadcasting Union is consulting members on how to handle participation amid protests and diplomatic disputes, with the contest scheduled for Vienna in May 2026.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why is Spain trying to ban Israel from Eurovision 2025?
Recent diplomatic tensions and protests have led Spain to consider excluding Israel from Eurovision 2025. This decision reflects broader geopolitical issues affecting the contest, raising questions about how international conflicts influence cultural events like Eurovision. Below, we explore the reasons behind Spain's move, the impact of protests, and what the European Broadcasting Union is doing about these tensions.
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More on these topics
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Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula.
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The Eurovision Song Contest is an international song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union and featuring participants representing primarily European countries.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The European Broadcasting Union is an alliance of public service media organisations, established on 12 February 1950. The organisation is made up of 115 member organisations in 56 countries, and 34 associate members from a further 21 countries.
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Gaza War may refer to the 1948–present Gaza–Israel conflict, or a more specific event:
2006 Gaza–Israel conflict
2007 Battle of Gaza, the Fatah–Hamas civil war
2008–2009 Gaza War, also known as Operation Cast Lead, the Gaza Massacre, and the Ba