Several Nations to Boycott Eurovision 2024 Following Decision to Include Israel
Geneva, Switzerland – Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia will not participate in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest after organizers approved Israel’s participation despite calls for its exclusion. The decisions stem from concerns over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and allegations of unfair voting practices.
Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, stated its participation was “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there wich continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.”
Dutch broadcaster avrotros explained that participation “under the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us.”
Spanish broadcaster RTVE,which had previously agreed in September to withdraw if Israel competed,announced it would also boycott the contest,including refusing to broadcast the 2026 final and preliminary semi-finals. RTVE had requested a secret ballot on Israel’s participation, but organizers “denied RTVE’s request,” leading to increased “distrust of the festival’s organisation and confirms the political pressure surrounding it.”
slovenia’s RTV echoed these sentiments, stating recent rule changes did not alter its position and emphasizing a commitment to “ethical principles and expects that equal rules and standards apply to all EBU members and all participating countries.”
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) responded by approving a new set of rules intended to protect the integrity of the contest, but this did not appease the boycotting nations.
israel’s President Isaac Herzog praised the decision to allow the country to compete, calling it “an appreciated gesture of solidarity, brotherhood, and cooperation, symbolising a victory over those who seek to silence Israel and spread hatred.” He expressed hope the competition would “remain one that sanctifies culture, poetry, and friendship between peoples and cross-border cultural understanding,” and affirmed Israel “deserves to be represented on every stage in the world.”
Iceland was also anticipated to boycott the contest, but has not yet formally announced its decision.
