Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian Territories, has sharply criticised international institutions for failing to hold Israel accountable, while welcoming the expanding European boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest as a sign of shifting awareness.

In a social media statement, Albanese highlighted that Israel has faced no suspensions or sanctions from major international bodies, ranging from the UN to UEFA, FIFA, and cultural events, allowing the ongoing genocidal war in Gaza to continue largely unchecked. She argued that this persistent participation contributes to the normalization of atrocities.

The growing refusal by European countries to participate in Eurovision 2026 signals a break from this cycle of tacit approval. Countries including Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland have already confirmed their withdrawal, citing Israel’s war crimes in Gaza as the reason. Iceland has indicated it is still considering its position. Albanese described these actions as the beginning of genuine accountability, describing the boycott as a first step toward ending the normalization of violence.