The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is increasingly surrounded by controversy. On Wednesday, December 10, the Icelandic broadcaster RÚV joined Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia in boycotting the event, making a total of five countries that have declared their non-participation following the decision by the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to allow Israel to remain, should the country choose to do so.
“It is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail regarding RÚV’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Therefore, RÚV has decided to notify the EBU today that it will not participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest,” reads the statement.
Portugal’s participation remains contentious, and discussions have been intense. Last week, RTP – Rádio e Televisão de Portugal confirmed its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, yet seventeen musicians and performers, including Cristina Branco and Bateu Matou, announced on Wednesday their refusal to represent Portugal in the next year’s Eurovision if they win the Festival da Canção, in protest against Israel’s participation.
“With words and songs, we act within the possibility given to us. We do not condone the violation of Human Rights,” stated the 17 artists, bands, and performers in a joint statement.
The musicians expressed their disappointment that RTP sided in favor of Israel’s participation in a vote on December 4, in the European Broadcasting Union’s general assembly: “Despite the ban on Russia’s participation in the 2022 Eurovision due to political reasons (the invasion of Ukraine), we were astounded to find that the same fate was not granted to Israel, which, according to the UN, is committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,” they wrote.
More than 23,000 sign petition for Portugal to exit Eurovision
A petition was created on December 5, calling for the “immediate withdrawal” of Portugal from the Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s presence in the event – and at the time of this news publication, it has garnered over 23,000 signatures.
Entitled “For the Immediate Withdrawal of Portugal from the Eurovision Song Contest as long as Israel Participates”, the signatories express their “profound disagreement” with RTP’s position, emphasizing that the outrage is “aggravated by the fact that the Portuguese representation voted in favor of Israel’s participation, placing Portugal on the wrong side of history,” they underline.
“This stance is unacceptable in light of the ongoing humanitarian disaster and military offensive in Gaza, and in light of the vote-rigging scandals that tarnished the 2025 edition in Basel, proving the organization’s (EBU/EBU) inability to curb the event’s politicization,” they further note.
According to the EBU, the complete list of participants for the Eurovision Song Contest will be announced “before Christmas.”
The contest has been held annually since 1956, with countries like Belarus excluded in 2021 after President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s re-election, and Russia in 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine.
Israel was the first non-European country allowed to participate, in 1973, and has won four times.
