Four countries have announced a boycott of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna over Israel's participation, casting a shadow over the event. Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia will not broadcast the grand final, while Iceland will show it but without a contestant. The boycotts, unprecedented in the contest's history, stem from Israel's inclusion following the 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent Gaza bombardment.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allowed Israel to compete without a vote from participating broadcasters, prompting the boycotts announced last December. Critics accuse the EBU of double standards, noting Russia was barred after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The boycotts could impact viewing figures, which reached a record 166 million in 2025, as major markets like Spain (5.9 million viewers in 2025) will not air the final.
Eurovision historian Paul Jordan described the atmosphere as 'a little bit sad,' with fan communities divided. Fan site Eurovision Hub has stopped covering the event, stating it no longer feels aligned. Meanwhile, the EBU has expanded the format to Asia, with Eurovision Asia set for November in Bangkok. Vienna expects protests, including a pro-Palestinian rally on Friday, as the contest runs from Tuesday to Saturday.
