What's happened
Several countries including Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland have announced their withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 due to disagreements over Israel's participation. The EBU's decision to allow Israel to compete despite political tensions has sparked protests and boycotts, with some broadcasters citing disunity and insufficient reforms. The final list of participants will be announced before Christmas.
What's behind the headline?
The Eurovision controversy underscores the tension between cultural neutrality and political influence. The decision by the EBU to allow Israel's participation, despite widespread protests, reveals a prioritization of maintaining the event's inclusivity over addressing geopolitical conflicts. Countries like Iceland and Spain are leveraging their withdrawals to protest what they see as politicization, risking the contest's reputation as a unifying cultural event. The reforms introduced—such as vote caps and returning professional juries—are unlikely to quell the unrest, as the core issue remains unresolved: whether Eurovision can remain apolitical amid ongoing conflicts. This situation foreshadows a potential fragmentation of the contest, with more broadcasters choosing to boycott rather than compromise on their political principles. The next few weeks will determine if the EBU can reconcile these tensions or if the contest's future will be marred by further withdrawals and political disputes.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel highlights Iceland's decision as the fifth country to withdraw, emphasizing public debate and disunity caused by Israel's inclusion. France 24 reports that the EBU's reforms were seen as insufficient by many broadcasters, leading to threats of withdrawal. The New Arab and AP News detail the broader context of protests and the political tensions surrounding Israel's participation, with some countries citing the war in Gaza and vote manipulation allegations. These sources collectively illustrate a growing divide within the Eurovision community, with some nations prioritizing political stance over cultural participation, and others warning of the contest's potential decline as a unifying event.
How we got here
The Eurovision Song Contest, celebrating its 70th edition in 2026, has faced increasing political controversy linked to Israel's participation amid the Gaza war. Last week, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided to permit Israel's entry after rejecting calls for its exclusion, citing reforms to voting rules. Several countries, including Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland, responded by threatening or announcing their withdrawal, citing concerns over politicization and alleged vote manipulation. Iceland's RUV and other broadcasters expressed discontent, citing public debate and the perceived impact on the contest's unity. The EBU's reforms aimed to address voting irregularities but did not include expelling Israel, leading to further protests.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Are Countries Threatening to Boycott Eurovision 2026?
The Eurovision Song Contest, a beloved cultural event, is facing a wave of political controversy as several countries consider boycotting the 2026 edition. The main issue revolves around Israel's continued participation amid ongoing regional conflicts, sparking debates over the contest's political neutrality. Curious about what’s driving these threats and what it means for Eurovision’s future? Keep reading to find out.
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Why Are Countries Boycotting Eurovision 2026 Over Israel? What’s Behind the Controversy?
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is facing unprecedented controversy as several countries threaten to withdraw over Israel's participation. This political tension has sparked debates about the role of politics in a cultural event meant to unite nations through music. Many are asking why countries are boycotting, what the controversy is about, and how the Eurovision organizers are handling these tensions. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this heated debate.
More on these topics
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Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic, with a population of 364,134 and an area of 103,000 km², making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. The capital and largest city is Reykjavík.
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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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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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Ríkisútvarpið is Iceland's national public-service broadcasting organization.
Operating from studios in the country's capital, Reykjavík, as well as regional centres around the country, the service broadcasts an assortment of general programming to a
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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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Isaac 'Bougie' Herzog is an Israeli politician. He served as a member of the Knesset between 2003 and 2018 and held several ministerial posts, including Minister of Welfare and Social Services.
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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