Slovenia’s national broadcaster, RTV Slovenia, has announced it will not air this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, following the country’s decision to withdraw over Israel’s continued participation in the event. The main competition, featuring 35 nations, is scheduled to take place in Vienna from 12 to 16 May.
Growing Boycott Movement
Slovenia joins a growing list of countries that have confirmed plans to boycott the contest, including Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain. Ksenija Horvat, RTV Slovenia director, confirmed the move to The Associated Press, stating: “We will not be broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest.” She added, “We will be airing the film series ‘Voices of Palestine,’ featuring Palestinian documentaries and feature films.”
Reasons for Withdrawal
The walkout was prompted by organisers’ December decision to allow Israel to compete. Slovenia has been a vocal critic of Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While Eurovision aims to prioritise pop music over politics, it has frequently found itself entangled in global events. Notably, Russia was expelled in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The current Israel-Hamas war has similarly roiled the contest, leading to protests and stricter rules against political displays at venues.
Artists Call for Boycott
Slovenia’s announcement comes days after Paul Weller, Kneecap, Massive Attack, Paloma Faith, and over 1,000 artists signed an open letter calling for fans to boycott the event. “As musicians and cultural workers, many living within the reaches of the [EBU], we reject Eurovision being used to whitewash and normalise Israel’s genocide, siege and brutal military occupation against Palestinians,” the letter, organised by No Music for Genocide and the BDS movement, said in part. “We stand in solidarity with Palestinian calls for public broadcasters, performers, screening party organisers, crew, and fans to boycott Eurovision until the EBU bans complicit Israeli broadcaster KAN.”
