Spain, Netherlands, Eire, Iceland and Slovenia all withdrew in protest in opposition to Israel’s participation within the midst of its struggle on Gaza.
Printed On 16 Might 2026
Because the Eurovision Track Contest took to the stage for the Saturday evening last in Vienna, 1000’s protested exterior in opposition to Israel’s inclusion, and 5 nations boycotted the occasion over the genocidal war on Gaza.
Protesters marched by way of the Austrian capital to focus on what critics described as a double commonplace. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) organisers refused to exclude Israel, regardless of banning Russia following its invasion of Ukraine 4 years in the past.
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Eurovision, which attracted 166 million viewers final 12 months, is seeing the most important boycott in its 70-year historical past.
Spain, the Netherlands, Eire, Iceland and Slovenia all withdrew due to Israel’s inclusion, with a few of their nationwide broadcasters refusing to air the present.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has emerged as certainly one of Israel’s strongest critics in Europe, mentioned on Friday that the choice places Spain on “the best aspect of historical past”.
Final month, greater than 1,000 artists referred to as on followers to boycott Eurovision in an open letter in opposition to Israel’s participation. Among the many artists had been outspoken critics of Israel, Macklemore and Paloma Religion. Macklemore has launched songs protesting in opposition to Israel’s struggle in Gaza.
Double requirements
On Monday, Amnesty Worldwide Secretary-Normal Agnes Callamard denounced the EBU for permitting Israel to take part.
“The failure of the European Broadcasting Union to droop Israel from Eurovision, because it did with Russia, is an act of cowardice and an illustration of blatant double requirements with regards to Israel,” she mentioned.
Reporting from Vienna, Al Jazeera’s Charlie Angela mentioned 2,000 demonstrators gathered within the metropolis earlier on Saturday to protest in opposition to Israel’s participation.
Angela reported that protesters accused the competitors of normalising Israel’s actions in Gaza, including that Eurovision was “bending over backwards” to justify together with Israel whereas excluding Russia.
Russia has confronted a widespread cultural boycott following the Ukraine invasion. It’s banned from worldwide soccer tournaments, and FIFA and UEFA have excluded Russian home groups from all competitions, together with the Champions League.
The winner of Eurovision will probably be chosen by each an expert jury and TV viewers voting for his or her favorite act.
Austria received the competitors final 12 months, with Israel second.
The Israeli authorities was later accused of unfairly influencing voting. New guidelines have since been launched.
