The 70th edition of Eurovision is supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it has become one of the most politically charged moments in the contest’s history. Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain have all opted not to participate in protest of Israel’s inclusion, marking the largest boycott in the contest’s history since 1970. Spain’s withdrawal is particularly significant: it marks the first time the “Big Five,” the countries that provide Eurovision’s largest financial backing and receive automatic entry to the finals, are incomplete since Italy joined the group in 2011.
The Artists
The walkout of nations has been matched by an equally loud response from the music world. More than 1,100 musicians and cultural workers have signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the Vienna contest, co-signed by artists including Macklemore, Paloma Faith, Kneecap, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, and former Eurovision winners. The letter, coordinated by campaign group No Music For Genocide, calls on the European Broadcasting Union to ban Israel from competing, drawing a direct comparison to the EBU’s decision to ban Russia in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. Irish rap trio Kneecap said, “Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022. Israel has been murdering Palestinians for decades and is now committing genocide, and for the third year running, they’re welcomed back onto the stage. That’s not neutrality. That’s a choice.”
The Double Standard Argument
The core of the protest is a consistency argument. The open letter states that for the third consecutive year, Israel will be “celebrated onstage despite its ongoing genocide in Gaza, while Russia remains banned for its illegal invasion of Ukraine.” The EBU has declined to put the exclusion of Israel to a vote. In response, Swiss winner Nemo, who won Eurovision in 2024, returned their trophy to the EBU in protest.
What Happens Next
The contest is set to go ahead in Vienna on May 16th, 2026. The Austrian host broadcaster ORF has confirmed it will not prohibit Palestinian flags in the audience, and will not censor any booing directed at Israel’s performance, a notable shift from how previous editions handled the controversy. Whether that is enough for the artists and countries who have already walked away is a different question entirely.
