US EditionEurovision faces budget squeeze after walkouts over Israel
Several European broadcasters are withdrawing from Eurovision, citing concerns over Israel's actions in Gaza and the compromise of universal values like press freedom.
- This year, the European Broadcasting Union declined to have a vote on Israel's participation in next year's Eurovision Song Contest, prompting boycotts by Ireland's RTÉ, Slovenia, Spain, and the Netherlands.
- Citing Israel's conduct in Gaza, broadcasters across Europe said exclusion was justified, with RTÉ highlighting targeted killings of journalists and denied access undermining universal values over the past year.
- Johnny Logan, three-time Eurovision winner, said Israel should be barred and endorsed RTÉ's decision, which Sinn Féin spokesperson Joanne Byrne called `correct and principled`.
- Despite withdrawals, BBC and SWR say they will broadcast the contest, while Austria, planned host next year, threatened to withdraw if Israel were excluded.
- Precedents show Eurovision has previously excluded a country after aggression, notably Russia's expulsion after it invaded Ukraine, while some argued Holocaust guilt influenced the European Broadcasting Union amid the past year's challenges.
19 Articles
19 Articles
The Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll at a glance: Coalition blues, judicial reviews, Christmas spending and support for Ireland pulling out of Eurovision
The latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll was conducted on Thursday and Friday, December 4 and 5. The sample size was 1,069. The margin of error is +/-3.1pc. Changes indicated are since the November 2, 2025 poll unless otherwise stated.
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scheerpost.comSeveral Countries to Boycott Eurovision Singing Contest over Israeli Participation
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The European Broadcasting Union declined o have a vote on whether Israel should be allowed to participate in next year’s Eurovision singing contest. Several European countries had argued that the country’s genocidal behavior in Gaza was grounds for excluding it from the competition. Russia used to participate in Eurovision, as well, but was expelled after it invaded Ukraine. In response, Ireland has pulled out of E…
Eurovision Budget Under Pressure After Countries Pull Out Over Israel
The financial outlook for the Eurovision Song Contest may be at risk after several countries announced they would withdraw from the 2026 edition in protest against Israel’s participation. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the contest, faced immediate boycott declarations from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia, all of which are threatening not to participate in 2026. The planned boycotts have already cast a shado…
With at least four countries dropping out, the Eurovision Song Contest has lost many of its showbiz credentials. So much so that experts even fear...
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