Ask Onix
Four nations withdraw from Eurovision 2026
Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia announced they will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed Israel's eligibility to compete.
Background to the dispute
The four broadcasters had demanded Israel's exclusion, citing the ongoing war in Gaza and allegations that Israel manipulated voting in this year's contest. A meeting in Geneva on Thursday saw EBU members vote on new safeguards designed to prevent external interference in voting.
According to the EBU, a "large majority" of members rejected calls for a separate vote on Israel's participation, concluding that the 2026 contest should proceed as scheduled.
Broadcasters express outrage
Spanish broadcaster RTVE, which had pushed for a secret ballot on Israel's inclusion, said the decision deepened its "distrust of the festival's organisation." Ireland's RTÉ called its participation "unconscionable," given the "appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis."
Spain holds a prominent position as one of Eurovision's "Big Five" countries-alongside France, Germany, Italy and the UK-whose entries automatically qualify for the final due to their financial contributions to the EBU.
EBU defends neutrality
Around 50 broadcasters, including the BBC, attended Thursday's meeting. The new rules aim to deter governments and third parties from orchestrating voting campaigns, following accusations that Israel unfairly boosted its entrant, Yuval Raphael, in 2025.
The EBU stated that the vote to adopt these measures was linked to an agreement not to hold a separate vote on Israel's participation. "All EBU members who wish to participate in Eurovision 2026 and comply with the new rules are eligible," the union said.
"It was a full, frank and honest and quite moving debate, but as we can see from the emphatic result, they really came together on a belief that the Eurovision Song Contest shouldn't be used as a political theatre."
Martin Green, Eurovision Song Contest director
Israel celebrates inclusion
Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the decision, calling it "an appreciated gesture of solidarity, brotherhood, and cooperation." He added that Israel "deserves to be represented on every stage in the world" and expressed hope that Eurovision would continue to promote "culture, poetry, and friendship between peoples."
Golan Yochpaz, CEO of Israel's public broadcaster KAN, condemned the push to exclude Israel as a "cultural boycott," warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent.
Mixed reactions across Europe
The BBC, which broadcasts Eurovision in the UK, supported the EBU's decision, stating it was "about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive."
Dutch broadcaster Avrotros called participation under current circumstances "incompatible with the public values essential to us." Slovenia's RTV reiterated its stance, saying the new rules "do not alter our view" and that it expects "equal standards for all participating countries."
Belgium's broadcaster said it would announce its position in the coming days, while Iceland's RÚV delayed its final decision until next week.
Germany, which had threatened to withdraw if Israel was excluded, welcomed the outcome. Its broadcaster ARD said it looked forward to participating, framing Eurovision as a "celebration of cultural diversity and solidarity."
Nordic broadcasters from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland issued a joint statement supporting the EBU's efforts to address "critical shortcomings" in the voting system.
