Spain Withdraws from Eurovision 2026 Over Israel's Participation Amid Gaza Conflict

Spain has officially announced its withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 following the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) decision to allow Israel to participate, despite ongoing military actions in Gaza. After 65 years of participation, Spain's public broadcaster RTVE declared it will not broadcast the Eurovision final or semifinals scheduled for May 2026. This decision is a direct response to Israel’s involvement amid the Gaza conflict and follows a denied request for a secret vote on Israel’s participation by the EBU.

The announcement came during the 95th EBU General Assembly in Geneva, where the UEB approved rule changes to enhance transparency and neutrality of the contest by a vote of 738 in favor, including new measures to prevent voting fraud and reduce the maximum votes per viewer from 20 to 10. Despite these adjustments, RTVE expressed that the measures were insufficient considering the ongoing geopolitical tensions. Spain was joined by the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Ireland in withdrawing from the competition, with the complete list of participants expected before Christmas.

RTVE's president, José Pablo López, criticized the EBU's ruling, stating on social media that Eurovision is heavily influenced by geopolitical interests rather than being just a music contest. Alfonso Morales, RTVE’s Secretary General, lamented that the governance of the festival has been compromised by political issues and emphasized a need for transparency and fairness. The Spanish withdrawal also reflects broader dissatisfaction with the festival’s handling of Israel’s participation and the refusal to hold a secret ballot requested by Spain and other countries.

In contrast, Israel’s public broadcaster confirmed participation, receiving support from Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, who viewed the EBU’s decision as a "valuable gesture of solidarity." Countries like Germany and Austria defended Israel’s right to compete, opposing calls for its exclusion. Despite pulling out of Eurovision 2026, RTVE remains committed to the Benidorm Fest, Spain’s national selection process for Eurovision.

This withdrawal marks a significant moment in Eurovision history, highlighting how geopolitical conflicts can impact international cultural events and prompting concerns about the future participation of various nations in the contest.