The Eurovision Song Contest is facing significant challenges following the withdrawal of four countries over the continued participation of Israel. The next contest is scheduled for May 2026 in Vienna, Austria.
Country Withdrawals and Dispute Context
Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia have announced their withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. This decision stems from disagreements regarding Israel's ongoing involvement in the competition. The issue follows prolonged tensions concerning Israel's actions during the conflict in Gaza and public voting processes in previous contests. Israel has described its continued inclusion as a "victory" against critics.
EBU Summit Outcomes
A summit held by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) addressed the divisions among member broadcasters. While no direct vote on Israel's status occurred, members voted on new rules for campaigning and public voting, with 65% in favor and 10% abstaining. Austrian broadcaster ORF's director general, Roland Weissmann, described the discussions as heated but democratic. The adoption of these new rules implicitly confirmed Israel's eligibility to compete, leading to the subsequent withdrawals by several nations.
Reactions and Further Considerations
Spain's broadcaster RTVE criticized the EBU's handling, stating that the situation was avoidable and suggesting that "political and commercial interests" influenced decisions. RTVE's president, Jose Pablo Lopez, indicated a loss of faith in Eurovision organizers, arguing that alleged manipulation of public votes by Israel should have resulted in executive-level sanctions rather than a member vote. Israel has denied any attempts to influence voting, asserting its campaigns were within contest guidelines.
The possibility of additional boycotts persists, with Iceland yet to confirm its participation. Belgium and Sweden have affirmed their intention to compete. Finland's attendance is conditional on a substantial number of participants and reasonable cost management. Analysts anticipate further withdrawals before the December 10 deadline for participation confirmation.
Rationale for Israel's Inclusion
The EBU's press release indicated a focus on protecting the independence of public service media and press freedom, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza. Israel's public broadcaster, Kan, operates independently of the Israeli government. ORF's Mr. Weissmann stated, "Public broadcasters take part, not countries," emphasizing that Kan's participation is distinct from government involvement. Kan's association with Eurovision is also believed to contribute to its protection from potential government-imposed closures or budget cuts.
Financial and Structural Impact
The withdrawal of Spain, a "big five" country, will significantly impact the contest's funding. Spain typically contributes between
A334,000 and
A348,000 annually. This financial burden will likely shift to remaining participants, with France, Germany, Italy, and the UK absorbing a larger share. The potential for more withdrawals could further escalate costs for participating nations. According to Eurovision scholar Jess Carniel, the loss of major financial contributors could lead to a "smaller show" in 2026 unless the Austrian broadcaster secures additional funds.
Callum Rowe from The Euro Trip podcast described the day of withdrawals as "very seismic" for Eurovision, highlighting the loss of countries with significant contest history. While the four boycotting nations are not expected to reverse their decision for the 2026 contest, their future participation in 2027 remains speculative. Eurovision director Martin Green estimates approximately 35 nations will still compete in Vienna, including the return of Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria after previous absences.