Four countries announced a boycott of Eurovision 2026 due to the admission of Israel.

According to ТСН: Four countries have decided not to participate in the international song contest 'Eurovision 2026', which will take place in Vienna. This decision came after a vote held on December 4 in Geneva regarding Israel's participation. Several countries demanded Israel's disqualification due to the situation in Gaza, but this did not happen.

Boycott of the contest

Following the decision on Israel's participation, several countries began announcing their withdrawal. Spain was the first to report that it would not participate in the contest and would not broadcast 'Eurovision 2026'. This decision was made by the Spanish broadcaster back in September, emphasizing that Israel is using the contest for political purposes, which allegedly violates the neutrality of the event. The broadcaster believes that Israel's participation in the contest should be determined by secret ballot.

“We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of the Israeli broadcaster in 'Eurovision 2026'. The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, as well as Israel's use of the contest for political purposes, increasingly complicates support for 'Eurovision' as a neutral cultural event,” the broadcaster's statement said.

Solidarity with Spain

The Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia have also made similar decisions, expressing support for Spain and stating that as long as Israel remains a participant in the contest, they will boycott the event. Meanwhile, countries like Iceland and Belgium are considering whether to participate in 'Eurovision'.

Interestingly, even in the case of Israel's disqualification, the contest could face scandal: Germany threatened to withdraw if that happens, while Austria, which is hosting the contest, supports this position.

Ukraine in the contest

Meanwhile, Ukraine plans to participate in 'Eurovision'. Currently, preparations for the National Selection are underway, and recently the names of nine finalists for the contest were announced. The 10th participant will be chosen by Ukrainians through voting in 'Diia'.

The situation surrounding 'Eurovision' has sparked active discussions in many countries, and the boycott announced by several states reflects the complexity of modern geopolitical realities. The Ukrainian delegation is interested in observing the developments, as contests of this format always carry not only a musical component but also a cultural discourse that reflects the realities of the modern world.