Yuval Raphael, Israel’s representative at the Eurovision Song Festival 2025
It is the largest “political storm” that the organization faces over the last decades. Spain can also be out.
Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland, Slovenia and Belgium: everyone can be out of EUROVIAL FESTIVAL OF Song 2026. All because of – if Israel continues to participate, these countries threaten to leave.
Among the five countries cited, stands out Ireland, One of the “queens” of the contest: has won seven times, just like Sweden. RTÉ, an Irish public broadcaster, warned in a statement published on Thursday: “RTé believes that Ireland’s participation would be indefensible, given the continuous and terrible loss of lives in the Gaza Strip.”
It was the first public warning of a country, but others have already appeared. Including from the neighboring Spain: Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun Domènech has called for RTVE not to participate in the festival if Israel is included again.
Of the Netherlands, Avrotros’ stance was very clear: “Our participation will not be possible until the European Broadcasting Union admits Israel. Our values are incompatible with the conduct of Israel.”
A RTV SLO to Slovenia, It has already warned the organization that it will not participate in the event with the current context.
Side of Iceland, Ruv warned that its participation is not certain; But it expects, like other countries, by the decision of the European Union Assembly of Broadcasting, scheduled for December this year.
It will be precisely in December that Belgium will decide if you participate. The RTBF also considers to stay out if nothing changes.
This is the greater “political storm” That the organization of the Eurovision Festival faces, over the last decades, summarizes the magazine.
The Eurovision 2026 Eurovision Festival will be held in Vienna (Austria) in May next year.
In this year’s edition, Israel was in 2nd place. And it was the country with the most votes of viewers.
