Spain to Withdraw from 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel Participates

Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE’s board voted on Tuesday to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to be held in Vienna, if Israel takes part in the competition.

With this decision, Spain becomes the fifth country—after the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland, and Ireland—to consider pulling out, and the first among the so-called “Big Five,” which also includes the UK, Germany, Italy, and France. These countries automatically qualify for the contest’s final round.

According to RTVE, the proposal put forward by its president, José Pablo López, received 10 votes in favor, four against, and one abstention from the 15-member board.

Eurovision, which emphasizes its political neutrality, has faced controversy this year due to the war in Gaza.

Several countries urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)—the alliance of public broadcasters that organizes and co-produces the annual event—to exclude Israel from the 2025 edition. Israel’s representative, Yuval Raphael, finished in second place.

This year’s winner, Austrian singer J.J., also called for Israel’s exclusion from the 2026 contest.