Nations to boycott Eurovision as EBU approves Israel to compete
- Dale Roberts
- Dec 5, 2025
- 4 min read
EBU Members have voted to approve new Eurovision rule changes and have opted for no vote on Israel's participation.
This means Israel is free to compete in next year's Eurovision Song Contest.
The vote was held at the EBU General Assembly overnight, with 736 (66%) voting in favour of changes and not requiring a vote on Israel, 264 (24%) against and and 120 abstaining (11%).
Australia did not vote as SBS is not a full EBU Member and was not part of the General Assembly. SBS has released a statement on the events.
This will see Israel be eligible to compete and the new rules announced last month to feature in Vienna.
EBU responds
Speaking after the discussion, EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci said:
“The result of this vote demonstrates our Members’ shared commitment to protecting transparency and trust in the Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s largest live music event.”
“I would like to thank all Members for their thoughtful, respectful and constructive contributions during today’s session and throughout the extensive consultation process undertaken this year.”
“These discussions have led to meaningful changes to the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, ensuring it remains a place for unity and cultural exchange.”
Countries withdraw
Following the news, many EBU Members announced their withdrawal from Eurovision.
The Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia have made announcements they will not participate in Eurovision 2026.
Iceland and Belgium will make a decision in the coming days.
Netherlands statement:
The Dutch broadcaster AVROTOS released a statement saying they will not compete.
"AVROTROS has decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. This decision follows a careful process in which information was gathered from a wide range of stakeholders: from the Israeli ambassador to Amnesty International, from the EBU to various European public broadcasters, and internally from our own Association Council, Works Council, and Supervisory Board, as well as the many thousands of Eurovision fans who reached out.
All things considered, AVROTROS concludes that participation under the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us. "
Taco Zimmerman, CEO of AVROTROS added:
"This was not an easy decision, and we didn't make it lightly. The Eurovision Song Contest is incredibly valuable to us. Culture unites, but not at all costs. What happened last year touches our boundaries. Universal values like humanity and a free press have been seriously violated and are non-negotiable for us. Furthermore, last year's political interference demonstrated that the independence and unifying nature of the Eurovision Song Contest can no longer be taken for granted. We choose the core values of AVROTROS and, as a public broadcaster, have the responsibility to remain true to these values, even when that proves difficult or delicate."AVROTROS will not broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. The NPO will ensure that the Eurovision Song Contest will remain available for Dutch viewers and fans next year."
Slovenia statement
President of the Board of RTV Slovenia, Natalija Gorščak stated:
"For the third year in a row, the public has demanded that we say no to the participation of any country that attacks another country. We must follow European standards for peace and understanding. Eurovision has been a place for joy and happiness from the very beginning, performers and audiences have been united by music, and it should remain that way." she said.
"Our message is: we will not participate in the ESC if Israel is there. On behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza."
Ireland statement
A statement from Irish broadcaster RTÉ said:
"Following today's EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTÉ's position remains unchanged. RTÉ will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition.
"RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk. RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory."
Spain
The Spanish broadcaster RTVE put out this press release:
"RTVE has announced Spain's withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest following the votes held today in Geneva at the 95th EBU General Assembly, which resulted in Israel remaining in the European music competition. The RTVE Board of Directors agreed last September that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participated.
"The withdrawal from the Festival also means that RTVE will not broadcast the Eurovision 2026 final , which will be held in Vienna (Austria) on May 16, nor the previous semi-finals of the contest, which will take place on the 12th and 14th.
“We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN in Eurovision 2026. The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, and Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event ,” he remarked."
Comments