Spain's national broadcasting service opts out of the Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel's involvement
The Eurovision Song Contest, an annual music competition organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is gearing up for its 70th edition in 2026, with Vienna set to host the event. This yearly spectacle features countries that are members of the EBU, along with Australia, and includes the "Big Five" countries – the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain – who automatically qualify for the final.
However, a significant development has arisen regarding Spain's participation. Spain, one of the original and most consistent participants in the European contest, having taken part in every single edition since its inception in 1956, has announced a boycott of the 2026 contest if Israel participates.
This decision stems from Spain's stance against the "illegal annexation" of Gaza and the West Bank, a position reiterated by Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, in August. Spain's boycott is part of a growing trend, with Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and now Spain joining the list of countries boycotting the European musical event.
The "Big Five" countries' participants are traditionally guaranteed a place in the final, but Spain's boycott means that if the boycott stands, there will be no Spanish participant in the 2026 contest if Israel takes part.
It's worth noting that Russia has not participated in the Eurovision event since 2022, marking a significant absence from the competition.
Despite these developments, the Eurovision Song Contest continues to be a much-anticipated event in the music world, with countries showcasing their diverse musical talents and promoting unity and friendship through song. The 2026 competition promises to be no exception, with Vienna eagerly preparing to host the event. The question remains, however, whether Israel and Spain will resolve their differences in time for Spain's return to the competition.
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