Fifth Country to Signal Withdrawal
Spain has become the latest country to threaten a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to compete next year.
It is now the fifth broadcaster to raise the possibility of pulling out, following similar announcements from the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland.
Spain’s stance carries extra weight as it is the first of the competition’s influential “Big Five” members to consider withdrawal.
Who Are the Big Five?
The Big Five — Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France — provide the largest financial contributions to Eurovision.
Their entries automatically qualify for the final, and the loss of one would place significant pressure on organisers to reconsider Israel’s inclusion.
EBU Weighs Options
The Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group, which governs the competition, confirmed it is reviewing the concerns.
It said a decision on Israel’s participation is pending, with consultations underway across member broadcasters.
RTVE Confirms Spain’s Position
RTVE, Spain’s public broadcaster, announced its threat of boycott after a board vote on Tuesday.
The motion, proposed by President Jose Pablo Lopez, secured 10 votes in favour, four against, and one abstention out of 15 members.
Political Pressure From Madrid
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has previously urged Israel’s exclusion, citing parallels with Russia’s ban following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
At the time, the EBU said allowing Moscow to compete risked bringing the contest “into disrepute.”
Tensions Over Gaza Conflict
Recent Eurovision contests have faced demonstrations against Israel’s ongoing military action in Gaza.
The offensive followed the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel.
Israel’s Position
Israel has denied accusations of genocide, insisting its actions are acts of self-defence against Hamas.
However, Palestinian officials say more than 64,000 people have been killed since the war began.
Spotlight on 2024 Contestant
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attack, represented Israel at this year’s contest in Basel.
She finished second but faced protests before and during her performance.
Calls From Artists
Austria’s JJ, who won in Basel, has publicly supported Israel’s exclusion from next year’s competition in Vienna.
“I would like the next Eurovision to be held in Vienna and without Israel,” he told Spanish newspaper El País.
Statement From Organisers
Eurovision contest director Martin Green acknowledged the “deeply held concerns” raised by broadcasters.
He said organisers were consulting members to assess “how participation and geopolitical tensions should be managed.”
December Deadline
Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm whether they will take part in next year’s contest.
That leaves little time for the EBU to make a decision that could determine the event’s future unity.
Why Other Countries Are Pulling Out
Dutch broadcaster AvroTros said its decision was motivated by the scale of civilian deaths in Gaza.
It added that the killings of journalists were also a factor in refusing to participate.
Ireland’s Position
Irish broadcaster RTÉ called Israel’s involvement “unconscionable” in light of what it described as “appalling loss of life.”
It stressed that Eurovision should not ignore the humanitarian crisis.
A Landmark Contest Approaches
Next year’s edition will mark the 70th anniversary of the competition.
It is scheduled to take place at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle on 16 May.
Risks for Organisers
The Reference Group has admitted it is assessing the “potential impacts and consequences” of whichever path it takes.
The decision is likely to be one of the most politically charged in Eurovision’s history.
