BBC-Eurovision 2026: UK broadcaster backs determination to let Israel be a part of contest as 4 international locations pledge to boycott occasion | EUROtoday

The BBC is backing a call to let Israel participate in subsequent yr’s Eurovision tune contest after a string of nations and their broadcasters pledged to boycott the occasion.

Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia say they won’t participate within the 2026 competitors as a result of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) cleared the way in which for the nation to compete.

A row had blown up over whether or not Israel ought to be allowed to affix the competition amid its conduct within the warfare in Gaza.

The EBU backed away from calling a vote on Israeli participation, and as a substitute handed guidelines aimed toward discouraging governments from influencing the competition.

A BBC spokesperson stated: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive.”

The Conservatives stated it was “absolutely right” for Israel to be a part of Eurovision.

Shadow tradition secretary Nigel Huddleston stated: “It is deeply concerning to see so many countries choosing to boycott the event because of Israel’s inclusion. Music should be a uniting force, not a tool to be weaponised for political ends.

“We trust the government will clearly rule out joining or legitimising this boycott in any capacity.”

Government minister Alison McGovern stated will probably be “really sad” if Eurovision just isn’t a “joyful occasion”.

She instructed Times Radio: “Eurovision is run by an independent organisation, the European Broadcasting Union, so this is really one for them, sure. It is not an issue that the government would normally interfere in.

“I’m personally not a massive Eurovision fan, but when Eurovision came to Liverpool, it was wonderful for everybody.

“So I think it’s really sad if we’re in this position where Eurovision can’t just be this joyful occasion, but it’s for the European Broadcasting Union to take decisions over in the first instance.”

By distinction, Irish nationwide broadcaster RTE says it won’t broadcast the tune contest, describing Israel’s participation as “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza”.

The RTE assertion stated: “Following today’s EBU winter general assembly in Geneva at which Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTE’s position remains unchanged.

“RTE will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTE broadcast the competition.

“RTE feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.

“RTE remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory.”

The 2026 contest will likely be held in Vienna after a slim victory by Austria’s act, JJ, with “Wasted Love”, beat Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who was runner-up after receiving the biggest variety of votes from the general public mixed with the jury votes.

After the choice to permit Israel to compete, the nation’s president, Isaac Herzog, wrote on social media: “Israel deserves to be represented on every stage around the world, a cause to which I am fully and actively committed.”

In September, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia all threatened to withdraw until Israel was excluded.

Russia was banned from Eurovision after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 however Israel has continued to compete for the previous two years regardless of disputes.

Dutch broadcaster Avrotros additionally introduced that it might not broadcast the competitors, saying it might be “incompatible with the public values that are essential to us”.

Taco Zimmerman, chief government, stated: “This was not an easy decision, and we didn’t make it lightly.

“The Eurovision Song Contest is incredibly valuable to us. Culture unites, but not at all costs. What happened last year touches our boundaries.

“Universal values like humanity and a free press have been seriously violated and are non-negotiable for us. Furthermore, last year’s political interference demonstrated that the independence and unifying nature of the Eurovision Song Contest can no longer be taken for granted.

“We choose the core values of Avrotros and, as a public broadcaster, have the responsibility to remain true to these values, even when that is complicated or vulnerable.”

The Dutch public broadcasting organisation NPO will proceed to make sure that subsequent yr’s Eurovision Song Contest will stay out there for Dutch viewers and followers.

Slovenian broadcaster RTV stated it was pulling out of the competitors “on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza”.

In her handle to members earlier than the choice, Natalija Gorscak, RTV Slovenia board chair, stated: “For the third year in a row, the public has demanded that we say no to the participation of any country that attacks another country. We must follow European standards for peace and understanding.

“Eurovision has been a place for joy and happiness from the very beginning, performers and audiences have been united by music, and it should remain that way.

“Our journalists were not and still are not allowed to enter Gaza, where more than 200 journalists were killed. Last year, we saw that the Israeli performance was political. Don’t forget that we banned a similar performance by a Russian singer in Ukraine.

“Our message is: we will not participate in the European Song Contest if Israel is there. On behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza.”

Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated in opposition to Israel’s inclusion close to a free live performance within the centre of Basel when the 2025 competitors befell.

Germany, a serious Eurovision backer, had stated it might not participate if Israel have been barred.