Ireland, Spain, Slovenia Consider Eurovision 2026 Boycott

(MENAFN) Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia have intensified their resistance to Israel’s potential involvement in Eurovision 2026, fueling the possibility of high-profile withdrawals from the renowned music contest.

In an announcement, an Irish national broadcaster stated: "Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if the participation of Israel goes ahead, and the final decision regarding Ireland’s participation will be made once the EBU’s (European Broadcasting Union) decision is made."

The broadcaster stressed that Ireland’s involvement would be "unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza."

It also noted that the broadcaster is "also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, and the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages."

Earlier this week, Spain's Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun indicated the country might withdraw if Israel is not barred from the contest.

Speaking with a news outlet, Urtasun explained that while the final choice rests with a public broadcaster, radical measures may be required should Israel participate.

He highlighted that Spain had already officially requested Israel’s exclusion and cautioned that the government would consider "measures… if not expelled," asserting that permitting Israel’s participation would amount to "normalizing" its presence in international forums amid the ongoing Gaza offensive, where at least 64,600 Palestinians have died since October 2023.

The military operations have left the Gaza Strip in devastation, pushing the enclave toward famine.

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