The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled for this month, but the event remains mired in controversy over Israel's participation. Several countries, including Spain, one of the "Big Five" nations guaranteed a spot in the final, have withdrawn in protest. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, has faced calls to ban Israel for three consecutive years but has allowed the country to remain. This year, Israel is represented by singer Noam Bettan with his song "Michelle."
Why Are Countries Boycotting?
Spain's chair of the radio and television corporation, José Pablo López, explained: "As joint organizers of Eurovision, we share collective responsibility. While Israel has regularly participated, current events and the genocide in Gaza make it impossible to look the other way. Eurovision is not merely apolitical; it carries significant political implications, and Israel leverages the event on the international stage." Israel denies accusations of genocide, which have been made by a UN Commission, Amnesty International, and the International Association of Genocide Scholars.
Why Hasn't the EBU Banned Israel?
The EBU has historically branded Eurovision as apolitical. In 2022, it banned Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, but only after other nations threatened a boycott. For Israel, the EBU has not taken similar action. Some point to sponsorship by Israeli company Moroccanoil, while others note a potential counter-boycott: Germany and other countries threatened to withdraw if Israel were banned. Instead of voting on Israel's participation, the EBU introduced new rules against voting manipulation after claims Israel encouraged expats to use 20 votes in 2025. The EBU stated a "large majority" of members decided against another vote, saying the contest should proceed with additional safeguards.
Recent Developments
On 9 May, Eurovision issued a formal warning to Israel's broadcaster Kan after it urged viewers to "vote 10 times" for Bettan, breaching rules on third-party campaigns. Eurovision director Martin Green said Kan immediately removed the videos. Kan responded that the campaign was not financed by any group. The contest takes place in Vienna, with semi-finals on 12 and 14 May and the final on 16 May.
