Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia all withdrew in protest against Israel’s participation in the midst of its war on Gaza
Pro-Palestinian and Iranian activists gather to demonstrate against Israel's participation in this year's Eurovision Song Contest [Heinz-Peter Bader/Getty Images]
By Daniel Khalili-Tari
Published On 16 May 2026
As the Eurovision Song Contest took to the stage for the Saturday night final in Vienna, thousands protested outside against Israel’s inclusion, and five countries boycotted the event over the genocidal war on Gaza.
Protesters marched through the Austrian capital to highlight what critics described as a double standard. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) organisers refused to exclude Israel, despite banning Russia following its invasion of Ukraine four years ago.
Eurovision, which attracted 166 million viewers last year, is seeing the largest boycott in its 70-year history.
Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia all withdrew because of Israel’s inclusion, with some of their national broadcasters refusing to air the show.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has emerged as one of Israel’s strongest critics in Europe, said on Friday that the decision puts Spain on “the right side of history”.
Last month, more than 1,000 artists called on fans to boycott Eurovision in an open letter against Israel’s participation. Among the artists were outspoken critics of Israel, Macklemore and Paloma Faith. Macklemore has released songs protesting against Israel’s war in Gaza.
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Double standards
On Monday, Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard denounced the EBU for allowing Israel to participate.
“The failure of the European Broadcasting Union to suspend Israel from Eurovision, as it did with Russia, is an act of cowardice and an illustration of blatant double standards when it comes to Israel,” she said.
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Reporting from Vienna, Al Jazeera’s Charlie Angela said 2,000 demonstrators gathered in the city earlier on Saturday to protest against Israel’s participation.
Angela reported that protesters accused the competition of normalising Israel’s actions in Gaza, adding that Eurovision was “bending over backwards” to justify including Israel while excluding Russia.
Russia has faced a widespread cultural boycott following the Ukraine invasion. It is banned from international football tournaments, and FIFA and UEFA have excluded Russian domestic teams from all competitions, including the Champions League.
The winner of Eurovision will be selected by both a professional jury and TV viewers voting for their favourite act.
Austria won the competition last year, with Israel second.
The Israeli government was later accused of unfairly influencing voting. New rules have since been introduced.
Ha3 Sour Grapes.
ReplyDeleteAm Yisrael Chai.
Israel at #Eurovision:
In 2023, Noa Kirel finished 3rd.
In 2024, Eden Golan finished 5th.
In 2025, Yuval Raphael finished 2nd.
In 2026, Noam Bettan finished 2nd.
Winners get to host the following year’s finals therefore Isaac must never win.
(2024 finals was just after Oct 7 2023 Nakba)
Very Aneh. Nobody boycott Eurovision because Croatia’s song is about Ishmael Turks persecution of Katholiks…..
ReplyDeleteCroatia just sang at Eurovision about Catholic girls tattooed to avoid being kidnapped, raped, and converted to Islam by the Ottoman Empire.
"That's why many chose the grave. Our mothers did not give birth to slaves."
Turkey filed official complaints. The festival went on. No one left. No one booed. No one cried about Islamophobia.
Israel arrived with a love song.
Five countries withdrew from the contest.
Months of campaigning to expel her. Pre-rehearsed boos.
The double standard is no accident. It's a policy.
https://x.com/acom_es/status/2055291598750003226?s=46