The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest final is taking place tonight, but the event remains mired in controversy over Israel's participation. Several countries, including Spain—one of the 'Big Five' nations ordinarily guaranteed a spot in the final—have withdrawn in protest.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organising body, has faced calls to ban Israel for three years running but has each time allowed Israel to remain. This year, Israel is represented by singer Noam Bettan with his song 'Michelle'.
Israel's actions in Gaza have been described by many—including a UN Commission, Amnesty International, and the International Association of Genocide Scholars—as a genocide. Israel denies this. Explaining Spain's boycott, José Pablo López, chair of the Spanish radio and television corporation, said: 'The current events and the genocide currently taking place make it impossible for us to look the other way.'
The EBU has not held a vote on Israel's participation for 2026, instead asking broadcasters to vote on new rules to prevent governments and third parties from disproportionately promoting songs to influence voters. On Saturday, Eurovision issued a formal warning to Israel's broadcaster Kan after it called for viewers to 'vote 10 times', deemed a breach of rules.
Historically, the EBU banned Russia in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine, but only after other nations threatened a boycott. Some highlight that one of Eurovision's biggest sponsors is Israeli company Moroccanoil, while others note that countries like Germany threatened to withdraw if Israel were banned.
