Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia have all withdrawn from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after the

European Broadcasting Union (EBU) declined to hold a vote on Israel’s participation in the competition during its

general assembly meeting today (Thursday, December 4). The Eurovision organizer had postponed an earlier planned vote

after Israel and the Palestinian political group Hamas signed a ceasefire agreement in October.

A statement from the EBU reads, in part, “A large majority of Members agreed that there was no need for a further vote

on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should proceed as planned, with the additional safeguards in

place.” Participating broadcasters only voted to adopt rules that would prevent governments and third parties from

promoting songs.

Irish public broadcaster RTÉ was the first to announce it was pulling out of Eurovision, writing in a statement that

"Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis

there.” Spanish national broadcasting network RTVE, the Netherlands’ Avotros, and Slovenia’s RTVSLO all followed suit.

Collectively, the four countries represent a total of 14 Eurovision victories, with Ireland holding the record—tied with

Sweden—for most wins by a country with seven.

In October, German chancellor Friedrich Merz threatened to boycott Eurovision if Israel were to be excluded from the

competition. “I think it’s a scandal that this is even being discussed. Israel has a place there,” he told the country’s

public broadcaster, ARD, in an interview. Austria’s host network, ORF, has also supported Israel’s participation.

Austrian singer JJ won Eurovision earlier this year.