Four Broadcasters Withdraw From Eurovision 2026 After EBU Clears Israel; Rule Changes Approved

Broadcasters Pull Out After EBU Decides Israel Can Compete

Four European public broadcasters — from Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands — announced they will withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 after members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided not to hold a vote to exclude Israel and instead approved a package of targeted rule changes to strengthen the contest’s neutrality and transparency.

Geneva Meeting and the EBU Decision

The EBU convened in Geneva to consider objections to Israel’s participation amid widespread calls for its exclusion related to the war in Gaza. Rather than put Israel’s participation to a formal ballot, members agreed on “targeted changes” to contest rules intended to limit undue government or third-party influence on voting and to reinforce trust and transparency.

“A large majority of Members agreed that there was no need for a further vote on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should proceed as planned, with the additional safeguards in place,” the EBU said in a statement.

Responses and Reactions

Israel’s leaders welcomed the EBU decision. President Isaac Herzog said he was "pleased" and thanked supporters for defending Israel’s right to compete, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the broadcasters’ withdrawals “shameful.” KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, described any attempt to bar Israeli artists as a cultural boycott.

Broadcasters pulling out framed their decisions as a matter of principle. Spain’s RTVE announced its withdrawal; Ireland’s RTÉ said it “will not participate in or broadcast” the contest; Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS cited incompatibility with its public values after stakeholder consultations; and Slovenia’s RTV SLO expressed concern that the ceasefire arrangements did not represent a true resolution of the conflict.

Supporters Of EBU Decision

At the same time, public broadcasters and officials in France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Sweden and Germany publicly supported the EBU’s handling of the matter, stressing the importance of enforcing union rules and preserving inclusivity. France’s foreign minister condemned boycotts of artists, and Germany’s cultural minister said, “Israel belongs in the Eurovision Song Contest.”

Context And Controversy

The controversy follows an independent United Nations inquiry published in September that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza and accused some Israeli leaders of incitement; the Israeli government strongly rejects those findings and says its actions are defensive and comply with international law. Casualty figures cited in the dispute — including more than 70,000 deaths in Gaza — come from the Hamas-run Palestinian Ministry of Health and are part of wider contested reporting amid the conflict.

Eurovision has a history of grappling with geopolitics: the EBU barred Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and pro-Palestinian protests have disrupted recent contests. Organizers emphasize that the contest, launched in 1956 and watched by over 166 million viewers last year, is intended as a celebration of music and unity — a goal now tested by deep political divisions.

What Happens Next

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is scheduled for May in Vienna. The EBU says members who accept the newly adopted safeguards will be eligible to participate. The withdrawals mark a significant moment for the festival as organisers try to balance commitments to neutrality with growing calls for political accountability.