Spain votes to boycott Eurovision if Israel competes

Spain votes to boycott Eurovision if Israel competes

Spain’s public broadcaster, RTVE, says it will sit out Eurovision 2026 if Israel is in the lineup. The board approved the move on 16 September 2025, reportedly by a 10–4 vote with one abstention. If that holds, Spain would be the first of the contest’s “Big Five” funders to take this kind of stance, which is a loud message for a show that prides itself on being a big, glittery party.

Big Five countries bankroll a lot of the event and get automatic spots in the grand final. If one of them walks, you feel it, both in the budget and in the vibe. Other broadcasters in Europe have hinted at similar reactions in recent months, including in the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland, but Spain stepping forward raises the temperature.

The EBU has long argued that Eurovision is a cultural showcase, not a political arena. People keep pointing out the exception: Russia was barred in 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine. That set a precedent, fair or not, that is hard to ignore now. The EBU has said it’s talking to members and would clarify Israel’s status before the usual participation deadlines.

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Supporters of Spain’s move say letting Israel compete normalizes a government facing scrutiny over the war in Gaza. Critics say the whole point of Eurovision is to create a rare zone where artists from across the map share a stage, and that boycotts mostly punish performers and fans. Both things can be true, which is why this debate is so heated.

The 2026 contest is slated for Vienna after Austria’s 2025 win, and it lines up with Eurovision’s 70th anniversary. That should be a celebratory run-up, not a scramble to manage withdrawals and rework budgets. If more Big Five members follow Spain, the EBU will have to solve not just a political problem, but also a practical one.

It says cultural policy is part of foreign policy, and that Madrid is willing to use its Eurovision clout in service of a stance many Spaniards may share. Whether this nudges the EBU toward a different decision, or triggers a chain reaction of boycotts, we’ll see soon enough as entries are confirmed and the participation list firms up.