Israel will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 as planned, following a decision made on Thursday during the opening day of the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) General Assembly in Geneva. The announcement immediately triggered a wave of withdrawals, deepening divisions over the contest’s neutrality.

Within hours, four countries—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia—announced they would not take part in the competition, which is scheduled for May in Vienna.

Spain, Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia Pull Out

Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE said it would boycott next year’s contest, citing the EBU vote to keep Israel in the lineup. In a statement, RTVE said the decision to withdraw was made “after the votes cast during the 95th EBU General Assembly in Geneva, which resulted in Israel’s continued participation.”

Dutch broadcaster Avrotros also announced its exit, saying that taking part under current circumstances “is not compatible with our organisation’s fundamental values.”

Ireland’s public broadcaster RTE confirmed it will neither compete nor air the event, pointing to “the horrifying loss of life in Gaza” and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. It added that it was “deeply concerned about the targeted killings of journalists in Gaza and the persistent refusal to allow access to international reporters.”

Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV later issued its own statement confirming it, too, would withdraw from the 2026 contest.

EBU: Reforms Will Strengthen Trust and Neutrality

In Geneva, EBU members endorsed a package of rule changes meant to reinforce transparency, neutrality and trust in the contest. Under the reforms, all EBU members willing to comply with the updated rules remain eligible to participate.

Delegates voted by secret ballot to determine whether the new measures offered sufficient guarantees. The majority agreed there was no need for an additional vote specifically on Israel’s participation, clearing the way for the 2026 contest to proceed as planned.

Ahead of the vote, member broadcasters held an extensive discussion in which they expressed a wide range of views on participation and the geopolitical tensions surrounding the event. Several also stressed the importance of safeguarding media independence and press freedom, especially in conflict zones.

EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci said the outcome demonstrated members’ “shared commitment to protecting transparency and trust in the Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s biggest live music event.”

Israel Welcomes the Decision

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN confirmed the country will take part in Eurovision 2026. President Isaac Herzog welcomed the EBU’s decision, saying Israel “has the right to be represented on every stage in the world.”

He expressed hope that the contest would continue to promote “culture, music, friendship between nations and cross-border cultural understanding,” and thanked those who supported Israel’s participation.

The final list of participating countries for Eurovision’s 70th anniversary edition is expected to be announced before Christmas.