Four participants in the annual Eurovision Song Contest have announced that they will not attend next year’s event, in protest against Israel’s continued involvement.
Eurovision is open to all countries within the European Broadcasting Area (and now Australia too), with Israel having been a participant since 1973. Although political concerns are not meant to feature, in practice they have. Russia was excluded following its invasion of Ukraine, while protests followed Israel’s participation last year.
Ireland, The Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have announced that they will boycott over continues Israeli participation – given the war in Gaza – while a number of other countries have indicated that they may make such a decision. The latter reportedly include Belgium and Finland.
However, both Germany (a major financial contributor) and Austria (the host of next year’s event) had threatened to withdraw if Israel is excluded.
Participating countries must confirm their attendance by mid-December. Should Austria withdraw, it would throw the logistical arrangements into chaos.
Israel has confirmed that it will take part in the contest and has won it four times since it joined.
[Image: https://www.heute.at/i/in-wien-findet-der-esc-2026-statt-was-du-wissen-musst-120125732/doc-1j334hte64]