Salvador Sobral, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017, criticized this Friday RTP’s decision to participate in the next edition of the European contest, despite the presence of Israel. The musician lamented, via social media, that the Portuguese public channel is “once again afraid of doing the right thing”, stating that it is a matter of human nature.
According to Noticias ao Minuto, Salvador Sobral recently participated in the solidarity concert Juntos por Gaza, in Lisbon, which aimed to raise funds for the United Nations Assistance Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Solidarity concert and criticism of RTP
The concert was sold out and brought together several Portuguese artists, highlighted the musician. The event will be broadcast by RTP on December 10th, in an initiative that Sobral classified as moving and representative of Portuguese society’s capacity to mobilize in humanitarian causes. During the event, the musician also attended the European public television meeting that discussed Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026.
The final decision confirmed that Israel will be present in the competition. Salvador Sobral recalled that several countries chose to boycott the contest as a form of symbolic and political protest. Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia have already announced that they will not participate in next year’s edition. Portugal, on the contrary, decided to be present, which led to the singer’s criticism.
According to the same source, Sobral said that the situation exemplifies the expression “giving one to the harpsichord and another to the horseshoe”, remembering that RTP broadcasts the concert through Gaza but chooses to participate in Eurovision, remaining neutral in the face of an issue that it considers obvious from a human point of view.
Song Festival and opinion of Sobral
The musician stressed that he is not against the Song Festival, considering it a good showcase for Portuguese artists. However, he argued that the winner of the contest should not represent the country at Eurovision, suggesting that the Festival could have another type of prize.
According to the same source, Sobral stated that it is up to artists to have foresight if the public channel does not change the form of participation.
RTP confirms participation
For its part, RTP announced, also on Thursday, that it voted in favor of changes to the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, which include the participation of Israel.
In a statement, the station explained that the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) voted on measures aimed at reinforcing trust, transparency and neutrality in the event. RTP clarified that it will participate in Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria, considering that the additional safeguards guarantee greater confidence in the results.
The new rules include reducing the weight of the public vote and the return of judges to the semi-finals. Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia decided to boycott next year’s edition, justifying the decision as incompatible with the public values of the respective stations. Portugal therefore remains among the participating countries, in a decision that, according to , places RTP in an ambiguous position regarding issues of a humanitarian nature.
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