Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia withdraw from Eurovision 2026 over Israel participation

Spain's public broadcaster RTVE has announced it will not participate in or broadcast Eurovision 2026 after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed Israel's entry in the competition.

The RTVE board had already decided in September to withdraw if Israel remained in the lineup, arguing that it amounted to "whitewashing" the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The broadcaster also expressed “distrust” of the festival's organization and denounced what it called political pressures within the EBU.

Spain's cultural minister welcomed the withdrawal from RTVE, calling it a "brave" decision.

"Cultural and sporting contests should not allow countries whose governments are committing genocide to participate under their flag," Ernest Urtasun said, speaking to reporters at the opening of Manga Barcelona on Friday.

Three more countries withdraw

In addition to Spain, Ireland's RTÉ, the Netherlands' AVROTROS, and Slovenia's RTVSLO also confirmed their withdrawal.

In his speech before the assembly prior to the voting, RTVE Secretary General Alfonso Morales expressed his "serious doubts" about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN in Eurovision 2026.

"The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, and the use of the contest for political purposes by Israel make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event," he said.

Spain is one of Eurovision's 'Big Five' countries, which automatically qualify for the final.

Podcast

Listen to the podcast below to learn more about Catalonia's relationship with Eurovision.