Spain zapowiada rezygnację z Eurowizji 2026, jeśli Israel weźmie udział w konkursie muzycznym.
The decision was taken by the Spanish public broadcaster council RTVE, motivating her with a protest against politics Israel to Gaza. This is the first country in the so-called country. "Big Five" (najwięksi płatnicy EBU), który oficjalnie grozi bojkotem Eurowizji na tle politycznym. W podobnym tonie wypowiadają się również inni nadawcy europejscy, którzy rozważają wycofanie się, jeśli Israel zostanie dopuszczony do udziału.
Spain resigns from Eurovision? Overview
Spanish Minister for Culture Ernest Urtasun publicly opposed Israel's participation in Eurovision 2026. In his opinion, the country's participation in the music competition would mean normalisation of the situation that Spain does not want to support, due to the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip and Israeli policy towards Palestine. Although the formal decision to participate belongs to Spanish public television RTVE, its board has already decided to withdraw the country if Israel remains a participant.
Political motivation and context
Spain's decision has a strong political background:
- Protest against Israeli military policy actions in Gaza.
- Opposition to the "normalisation" of the situation which representatives of Spain and other countries find unacceptable internationally.
- Emphasis on double standards in world culture and sport – Russia was previously excluded after aggression against Ukraine.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly supported the boycott, and the Spanish government imposed an embargo on arms trafficking with Israel.
Spain is a member of the "Big Five" – countries that are the largest financial sponsors of Eurovision and have a guaranteed place in the final of the competition. Her resignation is a big blow to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and a significant change in the history of the competition.
Do bojkotu dołączają też inne kraje, takie jak Ireland, Holandia, Słowenia i Islandia.
