DaysofPal- The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is facing an unprecedented crisis just days before its launch, as Israeli participation has sparked deep divisions across Europe, leading to a wave of withdrawals and boycott calls not seen since the 1970s.
The Austrian capital, Vienna, is set to host the 70th edition of the contest from May 12 to 16. However, controversy surrounding Israeli inclusion has intensified amid growing calls from European voices to exclude the country over the ongoing war in Gaza.
National broadcasters from five countries, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland, announced their withdrawal from the 2026 edition after the European Broadcasting Union granted Israeli occupation approval to continue participating, despite mounting pressure from some members to bar it.
The withdrawals mark the largest boycott of Eurovision in decades.
The controversy escalated after the EBU’s General Assembly declined to hold a separate vote on Israeli participation. Instead, it introduced new rules aimed at limiting government and external influence on song promotion and voting behavior.
In a statement, the EBU said that “a large majority of members saw no need for an additional vote regarding Israeli participation,” adding that the competition “should proceed as planned” with additional safeguards in place.
Spain’s public broadcaster had already announced in September 2025 its withdrawal from the 2026 contest following confirmation of Israeli participation.
The decision was reaffirmed after the latest EBU vote, with Spain also declaring it would not broadcast the semi-finals or final domestically.
Spain, one of Eurovision’s longest-standing participants since 1961, has competed 64 times and won the contest twice, in 1968 and 1969.
The wave of withdrawals coincides with growing calls for a broader boycott. More than 1,000 musicians and cultural figures have signed an open letter demanding Israeli exclusion, citing concerns over double standards, particularly following the exclusion of Russia from the contest after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The campaign has gained support from prominent artists, including Brian Eno and Macklemore.
Meanwhile, Turkish singer Sertab Erener, who brought Turkey its only Eurovision victory, drew widespread attention after declining an invitation to appear in the grand final on May 16 in Vienna.
She cited “tense global political conditions” as the reason for her decision, stating she did not feel comfortable participating in this year’s event.
As the contest approaches, the growing controversy continues to cast a shadow over what is traditionally one of Europe’s most celebrated cultural events.
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