US EditionSpain Threaten Eurovision Boycott if Israel Participate
Spain joins Ireland and other European nations considering a boycott of Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates amid protests and geopolitical tensions.
- On September 15 in Madrid, Ernest Urtasun, Spain’s Minister of Culture, stated that Spain should consider withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate.
- This statement followed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's May call to exclude Israel from Eurovision due to its military campaign in Gaza.
- The European Broadcasting Union began a July consultation with members on Israel's participation after pro-Palestinian protests occurred in Malmo in 2024 and Basel in May 2025.
- The 2025 Eurovision final held in Basel was watched by an audience of 166 million people spanning 37 nations, and prior to the broadcast, Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE shared a statement advocating for peace and justice in Palestine.
- Ireland and other European nations have threatened to withdraw if Israel participates, with public broadcasters needing to confirm their participation by mid-December 2025.
50 Articles
50 Articles
Spain threatens to boycott Eurovision if Israel allowed to compete
'We do not tolerate sporting and cultural events normalizing genocide,' said Spain's Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun, urging a Eurovision boycott if Israel competes in 2026. Spain joins Ireland and the Netherlands in protesting Israel's participation
"We must ensure that Israel does not participate in the next Eurovision edition," said Ernest Urtasun.
Spain should boycott Eurovision if Israel takes part: minister
Spain should boycott next year's Eurovision Song Contest if Israel takes part, Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun said Monday, joining other European nations threatening to pull out of the event. His comments came a day after Spain's La Vuelta cycling race was brought to a premature end due to chaotic pro-Palestinian protests in the centre of Madrid. Demonstrators denouncing the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team in one of cyclin…
The list of countries that threaten to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest in the event of Israel's re-participation is getting longer and longer. Now, with Spain, one of the so-called "Big 5" states announces its potential withdrawal.
The president of RTVE, José Pablo López, will propose this Tuesday to the Board of Directors of the Public Corporation the withdrawal of Spain in the Eurovision Festival if Israel participates in the next edition of the contest.This is how the program 'Direct to the Granus' of TVE has advanced it.If this proposal is approved, Spain would become the fifth country to confirm its withdrawal of Eurovision in the case of the participation of Israel a…
Spain does not want to participate in the ESC 2026 in Vienna, Israel should take part. Minister of Culture Urtasun calls for the exclusion of Israel – because of the situation in Gaza. Israel continues to participate.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
