Switzerland: Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was cleared to participate, despite calls from several broadcasters for it to be excluded.
The decision was confirmed at the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the annual contest. Members did not hold a vote on Israel’s participation, choosing instead to approve new rules aimed at preventing governments or outside groups from heavily promoting entries to sway public votes.
In a statement, the EBU said a large majority of members agreed there was no need for an additional vote and that next year’s contest in Vienna would proceed with new safeguards in place.
Spain’s broadcaster RTVE responded by announcing it would not air the contest or its semi-finals. It said the process lacked transparency and had created distrust. RTVE was among eight broadcasters that had requested a secret ballot on Israel’s participation during the meeting in Geneva.
The Dutch broadcaster Avrotros also announced its withdrawal. It said the current circumstances were incompatible with the public values the organisation represents. Attention now shifts to other countries whose broadcasters had warned they may withdraw if Israel is allowed to compete, including Iceland and Slovenia.
🇮🇱OFFICIAL: israel will participate in #Eurovision 2026. pic.twitter.com/70bLNPKIk7
— Eurovision News (@EurovisionNewZ) December 4, 2025
The new rules discussed on Thursday were partly prompted by concerns raised earlier this year after Israel won the public vote at the 2025 contest, though it placed second overall once jury votes were added.
Israel’s national broadcaster Kan has insisted the contest should not become political and that Israel meets all requirements for participation. Next year’s event, the 70th edition of the contest, will take place in Vienna following Austrian singer JJ’s victory this year.
Some European politicians had previously proposed boycotts if Israel were excluded, but others, including Germany’s SWR and Austria’s ORF, said Israel had the right to compete.
Russia remains banned from Eurovision following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Israel, a four-time winner since debuting in 1973, has taken part for the past two years despite ongoing debate over its place in the competition.
