The Eurovision boycott: What does this mean for ESC 2026?

The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is facing pressure to ban Israel from participating in the 2026 competition, or to allow the Israeli entry to perform without being associated with a flag. These suggestions have, so far, been rejected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), who organise the competition.

Eurovision 2026 is shaping up to look a little different from its slogan: “united by music”. Despite the long-standing insistence from Eurovision organisers that the competition is not political, politics have always played a part in both the performance and voting. It should therefore not come as a surprise that nations are using it as a platform. In 1956, at the first ever Eurovision Song Contest, which aimed to reunite European countries after the war, “West Germany was represented by a Jew and a Holocaust survivor”. The platform has historically been a place for voices to be heard and for those who have been – or are being – oppressed to be championed.

As the run-up to Eurovision 2026 in Vienna begins, several countries have taken a stand against the EBU’s perceived hypocrisy

If a country’s attendance at Eurovision has been deemed too politically divisive or contested, the EBU has resorted to bans in the past. For example, its immediate banning of Russia from the 2022 competition after its invasion of Ukraine, in line with the ESC’s historical values. However, the EBU seems reluctant to take the same stance against Israel, as a result of its military action in Palestine.

Both Eurovision 2024 and 2025 have been marked by pro-Palestine protests, and, within the venues, Israeli acts have been heckled and booed on stage. In May this year, over 70 previous Eurovision participants, including the United Kingdom’s Mae Muller (competed 2022) demanded Israel be excluded ahead of this year’s final. Now, as the run-up to Eurovision 2026 in Vienna begins, several countries have taken a stand against the EBU’s perceived hypocrisy, stating that they will withdraw from the 2026 competition if Israel is permitted to compete.

The first country to announce its intention to withdraw rather than compete alongside Israel in the 2026 competition was Slovenia. Their broadcaster, RTVSLO, has consistently voiced concerns over Israel’s ongoing participation and, in a recent statement, clarified that Slovenia’s participation in the competition and voting will be decided “dependent on the moves of the EBU”.  Broadcasters must withdraw before mid-December to avoid financial penalties.

Spain became the first of Eurovision’s “big five” countries to also threaten to boycott

Slovenia was followed by Ireland’s broadcaster RTÉ and the Netherlands’ broadcaster Avrotros. RTÉ has said: “It is RTÉ’s position that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, if the participation of Israel goes ahead, and the final decision regarding Ireland’s participation will be made once the EBU’s decision is made”, echoing Slovenia’s sentiments that, ultimately, the final decision rests on the actions of the EBU. Iceland has also pledged to withdraw dependent on the inclusion of Israel. Belgian broadcaster, VRT, have also shown support for the boycott.

On Tuesday 16 September, Spain became the first of Eurovision’s “big five” countries to also threaten to boycott if Israel is allowed to participate.

The “big five” are “Participating Broadcasters from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom” and make “the biggest financial contribution towards the organisation of the Contest”. Spain’s threat to boycott the 2026 competition significantly raises the stakes for the EBU as it would be a huge financial blow for the organisers to lose the Spanish competitors and audience.

On Friday 26 September, the EBU confirmed that, in November, they will hold an online vote to democratically decide whether to exclude Israeli broadcaster, Kan, from next year’s contest.

The EBU is going to have to break their supposed neutrality one way or another

The host country, Austria, is eager to avoid a boycott. The Foreign Minister for Austria, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, has corresponded with colleagues across the countries who have voiced intentions to withdraw from the competition. She wrote: “Excluding Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest or boycotting the event would neither alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza nor contribute to a sustainable political solution”.

Eurovision 2025’s winner, the Austrian singer JJ, however has called for Israel to be banned from competing in 2026.

The EBU faces a decision involving many variables. Eurovision is supposed to be a place of political neutrality (whether or not it has achieved this is beside the point). To exclude or to include Israel is to send a politically charged message. But to have Israel compete also alienates the countries that have pledged their withdrawal. The EBU would lose competitors, audiences, and funding. It may very well be the end of Eurovision. Additionally, to have banned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but to allow Israel to compete, appears hypocritical. The EBU is going to have to break their supposed neutrality one way or another. We will have to wait until November’s vote to see which stance they end up taking.