Several Nations Announce Eurovision Boycott After israel’s 2026 Participation Confirmed
Geneva, Switzerland – December 5, 2024, 12:24 AM CET – Following confirmation that Israel will be permitted to compete in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, broadcasters in Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have announced their intention to boycott the event. The decisions, revealed late Tuesday, escalate mounting pressure on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) regarding Israel’s inclusion amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The controversy centers on calls for Israel’s exclusion, mirroring previous actions taken against Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Belarus after the 2020 contested presidential election. While the EBU maintains that Eurovision is a non-political event, critics argue that allowing Israel’s participation effectively normalizes the situation in Gaza and disregards international humanitarian concerns. The boycotts threaten to substantially disrupt the competition, traditionally the world’s largest live music event, and raise fundamental questions about the EBU’s neutrality.
Delphine Ernotte Cunci, president of the EBU and France Télévisions, recently affirmed the organization’s “shared commitment…to protect openness and trust in the Eurovision Song Contest.” However, this statement has done little to quell the growing discontent among participating nations. The Icelandic broadcaster, RÚV, was the first to publicly declare its withdrawal, citing widespread public opposition and ethical considerations. Similar statements quickly followed from broadcasters in Finland (Yle), Denmark (DR), Sweden (SVT), and Norway (NRK).
The EBU has yet to issue a formal response to the announced boycotts, but is expected to address the situation in the coming days. The future of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to be hosted in Switzerland following Nemo’s 2024 win, now hangs in the balance as more nations perhaps consider joining the boycott.
