Spain's Eurovision 2026 Withdrawal Sparks International Reverberations Over Israel's Participation

Spain has made the landmark decision to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, marking its first absence in 65 years, due to the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) allowance of Israel's participation despite ongoing conflict in Gaza. RTVE, Spain's public broadcaster, has also confirmed it will not broadcast any Eurovision events in 2026, including the finals and semifinals held in Vienna. This move follows a majority vote from RTVE's Board of Directors and mirrors similar withdrawals announced by the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia, all citing objections over Israel's involvement.

The controversy stems from the Israeli military offensive in Gaza that began in October 2023, resulting in over 70,000 deaths amid a fragile ceasefire. Over 50 Members of the European Parliament had called for Israel's expulsion from Eurovision, paralleling Russia's removal in 2022 for breaching contest rules. However, the EBU ultimately decided to keep Israel in the competition, introducing new measures such as tighter televote controls and reinstating professional jury voting in the semifinals.

Diverging stances remain among participating countries: while Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia oppose Israel's presence, countries like Germany, Austria (the 2026 host), and Switzerland have expressed support for Israel or threatened to withdraw if Israel were expelled. This internal division complicates the contest's future dynamics and underscores the intersection of cultural events with geopolitical tensions.

Spain's withdrawal also entails losing its “Big Five” status—a group of principal financial contributors to Eurovision—which includes Germany, Italy, France, and the UK. Nonetheless, Spanish citizens will retain voting rights through the EBU's “Rest of the World” online system. RTVE intends to continue its independent Benidorm Fest festival despite the withdrawal.

The EBU has set a December 15 deadline for final participation confirmations. Spain's decision spotlights the growing pressure on the Eurovision Song Contest to navigate complex political conflicts while preserving its role as an international cultural platform.