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The BBC is supporting the decision to let Israel participate next year Eurovision The song contest began after several countries and their broadcasters pledged to boycott the event.
ireland, spain, Netherlands And slovenia say they will not participate in the 2026 contest because European Broadcasting Union (EBU) paved the way for competition for the country.
Controversy erupted over whether Israel should be allowed to enter the competition amid its conduct in the war. Gaza,
The EBU withdrew from calling a vote on Israeli participation, and instead passed rules aimed at discouraging governments from influencing the contest.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We support the collective decision made by EBU members. This is about enforcing EBU rules and being inclusive.”
The Conservatives said it was “absolutely right” for Israel to be part of Eurovision.
Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston said: “It is extremely worrying to see so many countries boycotting the event because of Israel’s involvement. Music should be a unifying force, not a tool to be weaponized for political purposes.”
“We are confident that the government will categorically refuse to engage in or legitimize this boycott in any capacity.”
In contrast, Irish national broadcaster RTÉ says it will not broadcast the song contest, and described Israel’s participation as “inappropriate given the catastrophic loss of life in Gaza”.
RTÉ’s statement read: “Following today’s EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva, which confirmed Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, RTÉ’s position remains unchanged.
“RTÉ will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the contest.
“RTE feels that Ireland’s involvement remains inappropriate given the terrible loss of life and property in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which is putting the lives of many civilians at risk.
“RTE is deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of international journalists’ access to the region.”
The 2026 contest will be held in Vienna after a narrow win by Austrian act, JJ, with “Wasted Love”, beating Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who finished runner-up after receiving the largest number of votes from the public combined with jury votes.
Following the decision to allow Israel to compete, the country’s president, Isaac Herzog, wrote on social media: “Israel deserves representation on every forum around the world, to which I am fully and actively committed.”
In September, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia all threatened to withdraw if Israel did not oust.
Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine but Israel has continued to compete for the past two years despite controversies.
Dutch broadcaster Evrotros also announced that it would not broadcast the contest, saying it would be “inconsistent with the public values that are essential to us”.
Chief executive Taco Zimmerman said: “This was not an easy decision, and we did not take it lightly.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is incredibly valuable for us. Culture unites, but not at any cost. What happened last year touches our borders.
“Universal values such as humanity and a free press have been seriously violated and are not negotiable for us. Furthermore, last year’s political interference demonstrated that the freedom and integrative nature of the Eurovision Song Contest can no longer be taken for granted.
“We chose the core values of Evrotros and, as a public broadcaster, have a responsibility to remain true to these values, even if they are complex or tenuous.”
Dutch public broadcasting organization NPO will continue to ensure that next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be available to Dutch viewers and fans.
Slovenian broadcaster RTV said it was withdrawing from the contest “on behalf of the 20,000 children killed in Gaza”.
In her address to members before the decision, RTV Slovenia board chairwoman Natalija Goršac said: “For the third year in a row, the public has demanded that we say no to the involvement of any country attacking another country. We must follow European standards for peace and understanding.
“Eurovision has been a place of joy and happiness since the beginning, with artists and audiences united by music, and it should stay that way.
“Our journalists were not, and are still not, allowed to enter Gaza, where more than 200 journalists were killed. Last year we saw that the Israeli demonstration was political. Don’t forget that we banned a similar performance by a Russian singer in Ukraine.
“Our message is: We will not take part in the European Song Contest if Israel is there. On behalf of the 20,000 children killed in Gaza.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated against Israel’s inclusion near a free concert in the center of Basel when the 2025 contest took place.
Germany, a major supporter of Eurovision, had said it would not participate if Israel was banned.