Spain threatens to boycott Eurovision if Israel participates

Spanish broadcaster RTVE has announced the country will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision if Israel takes part in the competition. 

Momentum is increasing to exclude Israel from the world’s largest music competition as global anger rises over its genocidal war against the people of the Gaza Strip.

On Tuesday, Spain became the latest nation to threaten a boycott of Israel’s continued participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, the major competition watched by about 160 million people each May.

In a statement, Spanish broadcaster RTVE said its board had agreed to withdraw from the 2026 contest if Israel participates.

This followed earlier declarations from Ireland’s RTE and Dutch broadcaster Avrotros, both stating they would not take part if Israel was allowed to compete.

Spanish politicians have been among the strongest critics of Israel since its assault on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, and have clearly expressed their preference for Israel not to join Eurovision.

“Spain must do everything possible to ensure that Israel is not included in Eurovision. And if Europe fails to rise to the occasion, our country must act accordingly,” Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun said in a post on the Bluesky social media platform on Sunday.

After pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the Vuelta a España bicycle race over the presence of an Israeli team on Monday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Israel should not participate in international events.

“Our position is clear and unequivocal; until the barbarity ceases, Israel should participate in any international competition,” he said.

Israel first entered Eurovision in 1973, and although small protests against its participation have occurred for years, they have grown sharply since the start of the genocidal war in Gaza.

Eurovision’s winner wants Israel out of this year’s contest amid raging genocide in Gaza

Austrian singer JJ, who won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, calls for the Israeli regime to be excluded from the 2026 edition of the competition.

The two contests held since 2023 have faced boycott campaigns, street protests, and boos during the Israeli entrant’s performance.

Israeli fans at this year’s event in Basel, Switzerland, were advised by Israeli authorities to “avoid displaying Israeli and Jewish symbols in public.”

Eurovision rules require that songs cannot include political themes and that the event must remain non-political. This has been difficult with dozens of nations involved, some of which have strained or hostile relations.

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) and the Israeli authorities have not yet responded to the boycott calls.

Some past Eurovision winners have also opposed Israel’s participation. “I do not support the fact that Israel is part of Eurovision at the moment,” Nemo, who won in 2024, told the Huffington Post in May.

And after winning this year’s contest, Austrian singer JJ told Spain’s El Pais newspaper, “It is very disappointing to see Israel still participating in the contest.”

He added that he hoped the 2026 contest, set for Vienna, Austria, in May, would not include Israel.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk