Amid rising geopolitical tensions, Poland has confirmed its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will take place in Vienna. The decision by Telewizja Polska (TVP) contrasts with the stance of several other European countries that have chosen to withdraw from the event. The reason for the boycott is the controversial presence of Israel in the contest, which is accused of genocide in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ongoing since October 2023, has according to estimates from the United Nations claimed more than 70,000 lives, including tens of thousands of civilians, sparking a wave of protests and calls to isolate Israel on the international stage.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organiser of Eurovision, decided to allow Israel to take part in the contest, despite earlier discussions about a possible exclusion. This decision has met with sharp criticism from some public broadcasters, who argue that the contest should promote the values of peace and equality rather than normalise the actions of a state accused of war crimes. In 2024, during the edition in Malmö, Israel’s participation already sparked controversy: there were protests, and Israeli representative Eden Golan had to face booing from the audience. Now, in the face of escalating conflict, a boycott has become a reality for several countries.
Countries that have withdrawn
Five countries have officially withdrawn from Eurovision 2026, citing the situation in Gaza and Israel’s presence:
- Iceland: The public broadcaster RÚV announced its boycott on 10 December 2025, becoming the fifth country on the list. The decision followed consultations with artists and public opinion, including an appeal from the famous singer Björk.
- Ireland: The broadcaster RTÉ stated that taking part in the contest is incompatible with the values of peace, and the decision was unanimously backed by its board.
- Netherlands: Avrotros, the Dutch broadcaster, concluded that Israel’s presence cannot be reconciled with the public service mission of the broadcaster.
- Spain: RTVE will neither take part in nor broadcast the contest, and Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun stated that „Israel cannot be whitewashed in the face of genocide in Gaza”.
- Slovenia: RTVSLO stressed that the contest should respect humanitarian values, and the current situation contradicts them.
These countries are not only withdrawing from participation, but some, such as Ireland and Spain, have also announced that they will not broadcast the contest.
Countries considering withdrawal
Several other countries, or their representatives, are signalling a possible move to join the boycott:
- Portugal: Artists taking part in the national selection have announced that if they win, they will not travel to Eurovision. RTP, the Portuguese broadcaster, has not yet made a final decision, but social pressure is growing.
- Serbia: A group of employees at broadcaster RTS has demanded a boycott, arguing that the EBU is normalising genocide. There is no official position so far, but the discussion continues.
In addition, in some countries, such as Belgium and Norway, public debates are underway, although no decisions to withdraw have been made so far.
Countries that will take part
Despite the controversy, most countries have confirmed their participation in Eurovision 2026. According to preliminary information from the EBU, around 34-35 countries will take part in the contest, including:
- Poland: TVP confirmed its participation on 10 December 2025, which met with mixed reactions on social media, with some users criticising the decision and accusing it of ignoring the situation in Gaza.
- Germany: The broadcaster SWR has announced its participation, having previously threatened to withdraw if Israel were excluded. Germany is one of the largest arms suppliers to Israel.
- United Kingdom: The BBC confirmed that it will broadcast the contest and take part in it.
- France: France Télévisions remains in the contest, as do the other „big” countries of Eurovision.
- Israel: KAN, the Israeli broadcaster, has been admitted by the EBU, which is the main reason for the boycott.
- Other confirmed countries: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria (host), Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine.
It is worth adding that the list may still change, for example Iceland initially supported the contest but ultimately joined the boycott.
Eurovision, long promoted as an apolitical celebration of music, is increasingly becoming an arena for political disputes. This recalls past situations, such as Russia’s exclusion after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Critics of the boycott argue that the contest should unite rather than divide, while supporters of withdrawal stress that silence in the face of genocide would be hypocrisy. For Poland, the decision to take part may mean both an opportunity to promote its culture and the risk of international criticism. The final shape of the contest will become clear in the coming months, but it is already evident that Eurovision 2026 will be one of the most controversial editions in its history.
