In the spotlight: Kalush Orchestra

Israel Eurovision 2025 Participation Sparks Boycott Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has ignited a major controversy. After organizers decided to allow Israel to remain in the competition, four countries, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, announced their withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 in protest. This rare Eurovision boycott has turned the contest into a political flashpoint. Background: Israel in Eurovision 2025 Israel finished second at Eurovision 2025, a strong result driven by public votes. However, several countries complained that Israel had artificially boosted its tally through a broad advertising campaign urging Europeans to vote for its entry. The dispute unfolded amid the Gaza war, pushing the ostensibly apolitical contest into an uncomfortable spotlight. In response, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) rolled out new measures to protect Eurovision’s neutrality. Government-led promotion campaigns were discouraged under the updated rules. In early December, EBU members reviewed these changes and decided not to hold a vote on Israel’s status. With this, they effectively confirmed Israel would remain in Eurovision 2026. Four Countries Withdraw in Protest Following the EBU decision to keep Israel in the contest, four national broadcasters promptly confirmed their withdrawal from Eurovision 2026. Ireland’s RTÉ deemed participation “unconscionable” amid Gaza’s civilian death toll. Spain’s RTVE and the Netherlands’ AVROTROS also pulled out after the Geneva vote, arguing that taking part was incompatible with their public service values. Slovenia likewise confirmed it would boycott the contest, as it had vowed if Israel stayed. Impact and Reactions The boycott is especially significant because it includes Spain. The country is one of Eurovision’s “Big Five” nations that provide major funding and automatic finalist spots. Organizers warn that losing multiple major countries could dent the show’s global audience (typically around 150 million viewers) and deter sponsors. Israeli officials, meanwhile, welcomed the EBU’s decision. President Isaac Herzog said Israel “deserves to be represented on every stage around the world”. This saga presents Eurovision with an unprecedented challenge: upholding its spirit of musical unity in the face of deep geopolitical divides.