Spain confirmed on Tuesday that it will boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to compete, according to RTVE, the state broadcaster responsible for choosing the country’s entry.
Although several other European nations have already threatened to pull out, Spain is the first among Eurovision’s influential ‘big five’ backers – those who provide the bulk of funding – to make such a declaration.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the competition, is expected to decide on Israel’s participation in the 2026 edition during its general assembly in December.
Should Israeli broadcaster KAN be confirmed as a participant, ‘RTVE would have to carry out the threat of withdrawing from the contest for the first time in history,’ the Spanish network said in a statement.
The move follows remarks by Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun, who on Monday argued Spain should refuse to take part if Israel competes, citing the scale of destruction caused by Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously voiced similar concerns. After the most recent Eurovision final in May, he said Israel ought to be excluded because of its military actions in Gaza, in the same way Russia has been banned since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. ‘What we cannot allow is double standards in culture,’ he said then. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez: ‘Israel should not be allowed to compete in the Eurovision’.
On Monday, Sánchez went further, urging that Israel also be barred from international sport. His call came after pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Madrid disrupted and ultimately stopped La Vuelta a España, one of cycling’s top three global races, in protest at the inclusion of the Israel-Premier Tech team. ALSO READ: PP accuses Spanish government of allowing ‘international embarrassment’ with La Vuelta.
Eurovision remains the world’s biggest live televised music show. This year’s edition, held in Basel, attracted 166 million viewers across 37 nations. Austrian artist JJ took first place, earning Vienna hosting rights for 2026. ALSO READ: Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE calls for ‘debate’ over Israel’s participation in Eurovision.
In addition to Spain, countries such as Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands have all warned they may withdraw if Israel is permitted to compete next year.
Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain make up the ‘big five’, the countries that provide the largest financial support to the EBU and are guaranteed automatic slots in the Eurovision final.
In July, the EBU said it had opened a consultation with members on the issue of Israel’s entry. The process would look at ‘how we manage participation, geopolitical tensions, and how other organisations have approached similar challenges’.
Pro-Palestinian groups have staged protests against Israel’s involvement in the contest before, including demonstrations in Malmö during the 2024 edition and again in Basel this past May.
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España se retirará de Eurovisión si Israel continúa en el certamen.
— RTVE Comunicación y Participación (@RTVE_Com) September 16, 2025
🔸El Consejo de Administración de la Corporación ha tomado esta decisión este martes por mayoría absoluta de sus miembros.https://t.co/XM2TlthhTG pic.twitter.com/KSgruVh5Ht
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