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Countries Pledge To Boycott Eurovision If Israel Participates

Mary Varvaris

Multiple countries have pledged to boycott Eurovision if Israel is allowed to compete in 2026 - here's where Australia stands.

Voyager at Eurovision
Voyager at Eurovision(Credit: Chloe Hashemi/EBU)

Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands have confirmed that they will boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to compete.

Australia hasn’t made a statement about the matter, but SBS confirmed it will continue to broadcast the event.

At the time of publication, SBS Australia has no plans to withdraw from broadcasting Eurovision. The local programmer is an Associate Broadcaster of Eurovision and states that it has less weight than other European countries when it comes to decision-making around the contest.

Eurovision will take place in Vienna in May 2026. TV Tonight notes that the European Broadcasting Union is currently in talks with broadcasters, and decisions will be made about who will compete at next year’s event during a General Assembly in December.

“SBS has been broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest for over 40 years, sharing this global celebration of diversity and inclusion with all Australians,” a spokesperson for SBS Australia said.

They added, “SBS intends to continue this tradition with its participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

“The decision regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision will be made by the EBU over the coming months.”

Spain is the first of the “big five” countries—the other four comprising the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy—that contribute the most money to Eurovision to make its stance, citing reports of Israel allegedly committing war crimes, including genocide, against Palestinians in Gaza.

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RTVE President, José Pablo López, made a statement that urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the annual talent contest, to no longer remain silent about the death and violence occurring in Gaza.

“As joint organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest, we share a collective responsibility,” López said. “While Israel has regularly participated in the competition, the current events and the genocide currently taking place make it impossible for us to look the other way.”

He added, “It is not accurate to claim that Eurovision is merely an apolitical music festival. We are all aware that the contest carries significant political implications. The Israeli government is equally aware of this fact and leverages the event on the international stage.”