What Is Eurovision — and Why Are Some Countries Threatening a Boycott?

The Eurovision Song Contest, one of the world’s longest-running cultural events, is facing fresh political tensions after Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland announced they may withdraw from the 2026 edition if Israel is allowed to participate.

Their statements come amid criticism of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands since October 2023.

Israel has competed in Eurovision since 1973 as part of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), despite being outside Europe geographically, and its involvement has often sparked debate.

While the contest promotes itself as a non-political event, past controversies, including the banning of Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, show how geopolitics can influence participation.

Eurovision organisers say they are still consulting partners, stressing that political neutrality is their priority, but experts note the growing difficulty of separating culture from international conflicts.

Arab nations have largely stayed out of the contest, with Morocco participating just once in 1980 before withdrawing.