• Israel cleared to participate in Eurovision 2026, prompting widespread backlash.
• Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands to boycott the contest over Gaza conflict.
• Concerns raised over the contest's political neutrality and integrity in voting.

The decision by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to allow Israel to participate in the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 has triggered significant backlash, leading to immediate announcements of boycott from several national broadcasters. Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands have all indicated they will not participate due to concerns about Israel's role in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They cite the ongoing humanitarian crisis and Israel's perceived use of the contest for political objectives as primary reasons for their withdrawal, according to Channel News Asia, Le Monde, and Anadolu Agency.

Each of these countries' broadcasters have expressed that Israel's inclusion in the contest undermines the contest's neutrality. For instance, RTVE's Secretary General Alfonso Morales emphasized that "the situation in Gaza...and Israel's use of the contest for political purposes make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event," as reported by Middle East Eye and NPR.

The EBU has introduced new rules intended to maintain the integrity of the contest after allegations of vote manipulation involving Israel in prior years. Despite these changes, public trust appears shaken, as evidenced by the backlash from several broadcasters who called for a vote to exclude Israel, which the EBU did not hold. A majority of members voted to proceed with the contest in Vienna without a specific vote on Israel's participation, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

The layered political implications of Eurovision’s upcoming edition come at a time of significant international attention towards the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has claimed thousands of lives. The ongoing discourse around Israel's actions has intensified as supporters and opponents of its participation weigh in on what has historically been a non-political cultural event. Experts suggest that next year's contest risks becoming one of the most politicized editions yet, as articulated by Eurovision expert Dean Vuletic and reported by Anadolu Agency and Anadolu Agency.