Three Eurovision Broadcasters Refuse To Air Contest Over Israel’s Participation
EurovisionPicks Team ·
National broadcasters in Slovenia, Ireland and Spain will not air Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation, deepening the contest’s biggest political crisis in decades.
National broadcasters in Slovenia, Ireland and Spain have confirmed they will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 due to Israel’s participation in this year’s competition.
The decision marks one of the biggest political controversies in Eurovision’s modern history and has significantly reduced participation levels for the contest.
According to reports, five countries originally stated they would refuse to take part if Israel remained in the competition following the ongoing war in Gaza.
Slovenia replacing Eurovision with “Voices of Palestine” programming
Slovenian broadcaster RTV Slovenija will instead air an alternative week of television, radio and digital content under the theme “Voices of Palestine.”
The programming reportedly includes documentaries, films and discussions focused on Palestinian stories and the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.
Natalija Gorščak, president of the broadcaster’s management board, stressed the boycott is not directed at Jewish people.
> “This is not any message against Jewish people, but a message against Netanyahu’s state and the politics of what Netanyahu is doing.”
Ireland and Spain also refuse to broadcast Eurovision
Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE has also confirmed it will not air Eurovision 2026.
Meanwhile, Irish broadcaster RTÉ will replace the contest with an episode of the comedy series Father Ted. The selected episode famously centres around the priests attempting to write a song for a Eurovision-style competition.
The move has already sparked major discussion across Eurovision fan communities online.
Netherlands and Iceland withdraw but will still air the contest
The Netherlands and Iceland also withdrew from Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation.
However, unlike Slovenia, Ireland and Spain, both countries still plan to broadcast the competition domestically.
The boycott has reduced Eurovision 2026 to its lowest participation level in more than two decades and intensified debate around politics within the contest.
Eurovision faces one of its biggest modern controversies
The controversy comes amid ongoing global discussion surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The war escalated following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw hostages taken into Gaza.
Israel’s military response in Gaza has since resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, widespread destruction and mass displacement.
For many fans, Eurovision has traditionally represented unity through music and culture. However, this year’s contest has become increasingly overshadowed by political tensions surrounding Israel’s inclusion.
What do you think about the broadcaster boycott?
Should Eurovision remain completely separate from politics, or was this the right decision from broadcasters?
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Image Credits: ESC (Eurovision.com)