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December 5, 2025

Ireland, Slovenia, Spain and the Netherlands to Boycott Eurovision over Israel's Participation
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Public broadcasters in Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Spain said
Thursday they will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after the
European Broadcasting Union refused to hold a vote on whether to exclude
Israel. This is José Pablo López, president of Spain's national
broadcaster. 

José Pablo López: "We maintain the same position we had months ago when
we said Israel's participation in the Eurovision festival was untenable
for two main reasons, firstly because the genocide it has perpetuated in
Gaza. As president of the corporation, I keep thinking that Eurovision
is a contest, but human rights are not a contest."

Eurovision is among the most popular TV and online events in the world;
last year, viewers from 156 countries cast votes for their favorite
contestants. 


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