BBC backs decision to let Israel join Eurovision 2026 as four countries pledge to boycott event
The BBC is backing a decision to let Israel take part in next year’s Eurovision song contest after a string of countries and their broadcasters pledged to boycott the event.
Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia say they will not take part in the 2026 competition because the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) cleared the way for the country to compete.
A row had blown up over whether Israel should be allowed to join the contest amid its conduct in the war in Gaza.
The EBU backed away from calling a vote on Israeli participation, and instead passed rules aimed at discouraging governments from influencing the contest.
A BBC spokesperson said: “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 said it was “absolutely right” for Israel to be part of Eurovision.
Shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddleston said: “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.”
By contrast, Irish national broadcaster RTE says it will not broadcast the song contest, describing Israel’s participation as “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza”.
The RTE statement said: “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 be held in Vienna after a narrow victory by Austria’s act, JJ, with “Wasted Love”, beat Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who was runner-up after receiving the largest number of votes from the public combined with the jury votes.
