Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in response to the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow Israel to participate. This decision follows criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties. Each country cited humanitarian concerns as the basis for their withdrawal, emphasizing the contest’s perceived politicization. Conversely, Germany expressed support for Israel’s inclusion, highlighting a divide among nations regarding the event’s neutrality.
