Public broadcasters from at least four countries, including Spain and the Netherlands, withdrew their participation from next year's Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday after organizers decided to allow Israel to take part. This development reveals how political discord takes center stage compared to the usually joyous celebration of harmony through music.
The withdrawal, which also included Ireland and Slovenia, came after a general meeting of the European Broadcasting Union, which is made up of public broadcasters from 56 countries and which runs the event, discussed concerns about Israel's participation, which some countries oppose over the conduct of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Earlier, EBU member states voted to adopt stricter voting rules following allegations that Israel had rigged the vote in favor of its contestants, but did not take any steps to exclude any broadcasters from the competition.
The feel-good pop music festival, which attracts more than 100 million viewers each year, has been disrupted for the past two years by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Meanwhile, a report on the website of Icelandic broadcaster RUV says that a meeting will be held next Wednesday to discuss whether Iceland should participate, after the board last week recommended excluding Israel from the competition to be held in Vienna next May.
In a statement emailed to The Associated Press, the broadcasting union said it was aware that four broadcasters had publicly said they would not participate: Spain's RTVE, the Netherlands' AVROTROS, Ireland's RTE and Slovenia's RTVSLO.
“We are awaiting official confirmation of their decision,” the union said. The final list of participating countries will be announced by Christmas.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on the X program that he was “delighted” that Israel would be participating again, adding: “I hope that this tournament will continue to be a champion of culture, music, friendship between nations, and cultural understanding across borders.”
“Thank you to all our friends who have defended Israel's right to continue contributing to and competing in Eurovision,” he added.
Get daily national news
Get the day's top news, politics, economics and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day.
Austria, which hosts the competition, supports Israel's participation after Viennese singer JJ won this year with “Wasted Love.” Germany is also said to support Israel.
But Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said Israel's participation was “no longer compatible with the responsibilities we have as a public broadcaster.”
World Details More Videos
Spanish state broadcaster RTVE expressed similar concerns and expressed “serious doubts about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN,” according to Secretary General Alfonso Morales.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ said Ireland's participation “remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of life and humanitarian crisis in Gaza”.
Some of the broadcasters that run their own news programs and wanted to exclude Israel cited the killing of journalists in the Gaza conflict and Israel's continued policy of denying international journalists access to the region.
Goran Yokpas, CEO of Israeli broadcaster KAN, questioned whether EBU members would be “willing to participate in actions that undermine creative freedom and freedom of expression”.
KAN officials said the Israeli broadcaster was not involved in a prohibited campaign aimed at influencing the outcome of the most recent singing contest in Basel, Switzerland, last May, when Israel's Yuval Rafael came in second place.
The EBU said the new rules would strengthen “transparency and trust” and allow all countries, including Israel, to participate.
current trends
Liberal MP says Mr Carney 'must answer' questions after tax credit reversal
Canada's federal income tax classification will change in 2026
The competition, now in its 70th year, will be held in Vienna in May and will see artists from dozens of countries compete for the continent's musical crown.
Although he tries to put pop over politics, he repeatedly gets caught up in world affairs. Russia was expelled in 2022 following a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has become a top issue, with pro-Palestinian demonstrators demonstrating against Israel outside the last two Eurovision contests, in Basel, Switzerland, in May and Malmö, Sweden in 2024.
Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain had previously threatened to withdraw their participation if Israel was allowed to participate.
Opponents of Israel's participation cite the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has left more than 70,000 people dead, according to the region's health ministry, which operates under a Hamas-run government and whose detailed records are generally considered reliable by the international community.
The Israeli government has repeatedly defended its operation in response to attacks by Hamas-led extremists, who started the war on October 7, 2023. The militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages in the attack.
Many experts, including those commissioned by United Nations agencies, say Israel's attack on Gaza amounts to genocide, a claim strongly denied by Israel, where many Holocaust survivors and their relatives live.
It was previously unclear whether the EBU's plans to reduce violence in the Gaza Strip, where a U.S.-brokered ceasefire remains, or to change the voting process would appease some broadcasters opposed to Israel's participation.
A boycott by some European broadcasters could impact viewership and money, with many broadcasters under financial pressure due to government funding cuts and the rise of social media.
The contestants include some of the biggest names in Eurovision. Spain is one of the “big five” large market countries that contribute the most to the contest. Ireland have won seven times, matching Sweden for the record.
The controversy over Israel's participation in 2026 also threatens to overshadow the return next year of Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania, who have been absent for periods of time for financial and artistic reasons.
Curator's Recommendations
Great stocking stuffer ideas for kids and adults of all ages
7 Affordable Gifts Pet Parents Will Love
© 2025 The Canadian Press