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Monday, December 8, 2025
As the European Broadcasting Union voted for Israel to stay in the Eurovision Song Contest, four countries, namely Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia backed out from participating in Eurovision 2026 citing the “loss” of the contest’s neutrality as well as the high death count in Gaza.
Furthermore, w:RÚV, the Icelandic broadcaster, contemplated if Iceland should participate in the 2026 contest.
The Israeli government celebrated the country’s inclusion in the 2026 contest and criticized countries which participated in the boycott.
Ben Robertson from Eurovision fansite ESC Insight highlighted that: “never in the history of the contest have we had such a vote, and such a split, between the member broadcasters of the European Broadcasting Union.”
