All the countries who have joined Ireland in boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest 2026
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest is off to a bad start with a number of countries announcing that they will be boycotting the 2026 show.
The event is set to take place in Vienna in May of next year after JJ won the 2025 event for Austria with the song Wasted Love.
With the EBU announcement that Israel would be permitted to compete despite the ongoing war in Gaza, a number of countries announced their withdrawal from the contest.
Pic: Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images
A vote was held on Thursday at the general assembly in Geneva on whether Israel should be included, and while there was a vote on new safeguards, a ‘large majority’ of members agreed there was no need for a further vote on participation and that Eurovision 2026 could proceed as planned, the EBU says.
Russia was banned from Eurovision after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and many have questioned why Israel has continued to compete for the past couple of years despite disputes.
So who are the countries that have announced they will not be participating in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest because of Israel’s inclusion?
Ireland
Bambie Thug. Pic: Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images
Ireland is currently the joint record-holder for the most wins in the history of the Song Contest, but will not be entering the 70th edition.
In a statement, RTÉ said: ‘Following today’s EBU winter general assembly in Geneva at which Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTE’s position remains unchanged.
‘RTE will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTE broadcast the competition.
Emmy during a dress rehearsal for the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. Pic: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
‘RTE feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.
‘RTE remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory.’
Spain
Spanish singer Melody at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. Pic: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
One of the ‘Big 5’ entrants, Spain was the first to announce its withdrawal from the competition.
In a statement, RTVE explained their decision: ‘RTVE has announced Spain’s withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest following the votes held today in Geneva at the 95th EBU General Assembly, which resulted in Israel remaining in the European music competition.
‘The RTVE Board of Directors agreed last September that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participated. The withdrawal from the Festival also means that RTVE will not broadcast the Eurovision 2026 final, which will be held in Vienna (Austria) on May 16, nor the previous semi-finals of the contest, which will take place on the 12 and 14.
‘RTVE, along with seven other countries, had formally requested a secret ballot at the Assembly. The EBU presidency has denied RTVE’s request for a specific vote on Israel’s participation.
‘This decision increases RTVE’s distrust of the festival’s organisation and confirms the political pressure surrounding it.’
RTVE Secretary General Alfonso Morales addressed the General Assembly prior to the vote, and explained that the Corporation ‘recognizes and values’ the measures adopted by the EBU and the Reference Group to defend the core principles and values of the Eurovision Song Contest.
‘However, we consider these measures insufficient,’ he stated. ‘We would like to express our 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 Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event.’
The Netherlands
Dutch singer Joost Klein was ordered to go home after being accused of intimidating behaviour by a female member of the production crew. Pic: Jessica Gow/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
After being disqualified from the contest in 2024 after an altercation backstage, widely rumoured to have been with the Israeli delegation, The Netherlands has formally withdrawn from the competition.
They said: ‘AVROTROS has decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026.
‘That decision follows a careful process in which information was obtained from a wide range of stakeholders: from the Israeli ambassador to Amnesty International, from the EBU to various European public broadcasters, and internally from our own Association Council, Works Council and Supervisory Board, as well as the many thousands of Eurovision fans who have sought contact.
‘All things considered, AVROTROS concludes that participation under the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us.
‘The decision was made in close coordination with the NPO, which respects and supports this consideration.’
In addition, Taco Zimmerman, Managing Director AVROTROS said: ‘What happened last year; the violation of universal values such as humanity and free press, but also the political interference in the previous edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, means that a limit has been reached for us.
‘That remains leading, regardless of the steps taken after that. The situation in Gaza also remains extremely worrying and vulnerable.
‘It is currently too early to speak of a substantial, stable improvement that justifies participation in the Eurovision Song Contest from our values.’
Slovenia
Slovenia announced its withdrawal from the 70th Eurovision Song Contest for the third year in a row.
RTV Slovenia board chairwoman Natalija Gorscak said: ‘For the third year in a row, the public has demanded that we say no to the participation of any country that attacks another country
‘We must follow European standards for peace and understanding. Eurovision has been a place for joy and happiness from the very beginning, performers and audiences have been united by music, and it should remain that way.
‘Our message is: we will not participate in the ESC if Israel is there. On behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza.’
Countries yet to decide are Belgium and Iceland, with others expected to announce their decisions in the coming weeks.
Germany, The UK, Australia, Norway, Denmark and, of course, Israel, have confirmed they will not be withdrawing participation or coverage.
