Sweden's national broadcaster has definitively stated it will compete in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, resisting calls to join a growing boycott over Israel's confirmed participation in the event.
Nordic Support for New Rules Amidst Withdrawals
The announcement from SVT follows a tense European Broadcasting Union (EBU) general assembly in Geneva on Thursday, 5 December 2025. The assembly saw a majority of members vote against a proposal to hold a vote on banning Israel from the competition. In the wake of this decision, Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia all declared they would pull out of the singing contest.
SVT clarified that while members voted on new rules for the competition, no specific vote was taken on the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN. The new regulations, which received support from all Nordic public service companies including Norway's NRK, Finland's YLE, Denmark's DR, and Iceland's RUV, aim to make the contest "as apolitical as possible."
These rules include measures to deter governments from organising campaigns for their acts, a reduction in votes per participant, and the reintroduction of professional jury panels in the semi-finals. Technical security is also being strengthened to prevent vote fraud.
Broadcasters Cite Gaza Conflict in Boycott Decisions
The national broadcasters of the boycotting nations issued strong statements linking their withdrawal to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Irish broadcaster RTE described its continued participation as "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis." It also expressed deep concern over the killing of journalists in the territory and the denial of access to international reporters.
Slovenia's RTV was equally forceful. In an address to the EBU assembly, board chairwoman Natalija Gorsck stated the broadcaster was pulling out "on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza." She argued that European standards for peace and understanding must be followed, drawing a parallel with the ban on Russian participation following the invasion of Ukraine.
Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said broadcasting the contest would be "incompatible with the public values that are essential to us," citing violations of universal values like humanity and a free press. However, the Dutch public broadcasting organisation NPO will ensure the contest remains available for viewers in the Netherlands.
BBC Backs EBU Decision as Iceland Considers Its Position
In contrast to the boycotting nations, the BBC has publicly supported the EBU's collective decision. A BBC spokesperson stated, "We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive." The corporation noted that agreeing to the new rule changes effectively meant agreeing not to proceed with a vote on Israel's eligibility.
The controversy stems from the 2025 contest, where Israeli singer Yuval Raphael received the largest number of public votes, ultimately finishing as runner-up. This result prompted RTE and Spain's RTVE to request a breakdown of voting numbers and a "complete review" of the system to avoid external interference.
Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, responded to the decision to allow his country to compete by writing on X: "Israel deserves to be represented on every stage around the world, a cause to which I am fully and actively committed."
Meanwhile, Iceland's broadcaster RUV said its board would discuss its participation at a meeting next Wednesday, having previously agreed to a motion recommending Israel's expulsion. The 2026 contest will be held in Vienna in May, following Austria's narrow victory in 2025.
