The annual Eurovision Music Award is a continent wide song competition that pits songwriters and performers from across Eurasia in a music over politics setting.
However, in recent years politics has come into the picture when Russia was expelled after they invaded Ukraine and with the war between Hamas and Isarel broke out, there have been protestors outside the contest venue for the past two years.
During the 2025 Eurovision contest allegations arose that Israel manipulated the votes; as a result the European Broadcasting Union has adopted tougher voting rules; but some of the participants are not pleased and have chosen to withdraw from the 2026 competition that is scheduled to be held in Austria.
Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia have all announced that they are withdrawing from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest competition after organizers are allowing Israel to participate.
There are public broadcasters from 56 countries that make up the EBU and run the annual song contest competition.
The annual song contest draws over 100 million viewers each year.
Eurovision expert Dean Vuletic spoke on the contest saying, “it’s a historic moment for the European Broadcasting Union. This is certainly one of the most serious crises that the organization has ever faced. Next year, we’re going to see the biggest political boycott of Eurovision ever.”
Vuletic predicts “tense” times ahead for the contest as more countries contemplate their participation in the song contest. The 2026 competition marks the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Iceland will meet next week to determine their participation after the board had recommended that Israel should be barred from the competition.
A complete list of the participants will be released by Christmas for the competition in May.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog took to social media to express his feelings on Israel not being banned from the competition saying he was “pleased” and “the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations and cross-border cultural understanding. Thank you to all our friends who stood up for Israel’s right to continue to contribute and compete at Eurovision.” Austria, Germany,, Luxembourg, and Switzerland supported Israel’s participation in the contest.
Vienna’s JJ won the competition in 2025; making Austria the host country for 2026.
The Dutch broadcaster said Isreal, “is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster.”
Spain added, “Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event.”
Ireland noted their participation, “remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there.”
The killing of journalists and the denying of International journalists; along with the conflict in Gaza were cited as reasons for Israel’s being denied participation.
Israel’s chief executive Golan Yochpaz shot back asking if the EBU was, “willing to be part of a step that harms freedom of creation and freedom of expression.”
UPDATE: Iceland has added their name to the list of countries boycotting the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.