Several European countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia, have threatened to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate. The decision comes in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has persisted for more than 700 days, and the deaths of hundreds of civilians, including journalists.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS and Irish channel RTÉ cited the scale of suffering and the loss of life in Gaza as reasons for their potential boycott, while Spain’s Minister of Culture and Slovenia’s RTVSLO also expressed strong opposition to Israel’s inclusion. Public protests during Eurovision 2024, including chants of “Free Palestine” as Israeli performers took the stage, highlighted the controversy and growing international criticism.

The European Broadcasting Union, responsible for organising the contest, acknowledged the concerns and is consulting member states on how to address geopolitical tensions surrounding participation. The standoff underscores the increasing impact of global conflicts on cultural and entertainment events, as nations weigh moral and political considerations against participation.