Salvador Sobral, the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest winner with “Amar Pelos Dois,” criticized RTP on Friday for participating in the upcoming European contest despite Israel’s presence.
In a video shared on Instagram, Sobral mentioned he was in Lisbon on Thursday for the “Juntos Por Gaza” concert, which aimed to raise funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
“The concert was completely sold out. The people join together when it’s to help. All my colleagues, the artistic community, is always there when it’s to help. It was very beautiful and moving,” he emphasized, noting that the event will be “broadcast by RTP” on December 10.
During the concert, Sobral recounted, “the meeting of public television stations in Europe was happening” to decide Israel’s participation in the next Eurovision edition.
“The decision, which you already know, was made: Israel will participate. Several countries decided not to participate, staying on the right side of history, making this statement which is very symbolic, but very powerful because Eurovision is a very political thing,” he commented.
However, “RTP, the state channel, decided to participate in Eurovision, even with Israel’s participation.”
“The expression ‘giving one in the nail and another in the horseshoe’ made so much sense last night. It is the only Portuguese television that broadcasts a concert for Gaza, but at the same time, is once again afraid to do the right thing. This political cowardice we have is consistent with the cowardice of public institutions,” he remarked.
“It makes me sad because it is a simply human issue and the decision that should be taken is obvious,” he lamented.
While emphasizing that he is not “against the Festival da Canção”—the Portuguese music contest whose winner typically represents Portugal at Eurovision—Salvador Sobral argued that “whoever wins the Festival da Canção” should not go to Eurovision.
“It’s a very easy decision. I think the Festival da Canção should be held with another type of reward, and if that’s not going to be done by the public channel, it is up to the participating artists to have that clarity. This is my opinion on this,” he stated.
RTP confirms Portugal’s participation in Eurovision
On Thursday, RTP announced that it “voted in favor of changing the rules” of the Eurovision Song Contest, which included Israel’s participation, and will participate in next year’s edition.
In a statement sent to the press, RTP mentioned that the European Broadcasting Union (UER) General Assembly voted that afternoon “to amend the voting rules in the Eurovision Song Contest” to “enhance confidence and transparency and ensure the event’s neutrality.”
“RTP, like the vast majority of member countries, voted in favor of the rule change allowing countries to participate in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with greater confidence in the voting results,” the statement reads.
Therefore, “based on this decision by UER, the owner of the Eurovision Song Contest, RTP will participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria.”
Previously, UER had announced that members voted in a secret ballot to determine “whether they were sufficiently satisfied with the new safeguards announced last month without voting on participation in next year’s event.”
“The vast majority agreed that a new vote on participation was unnecessary and that the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest should proceed as planned, with additional safeguards in place,” the statement said.
The European Broadcasting Union (UER) General Assembly confirmed on Thursday that Israel will participate in Eurovision in 2026. Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia have already announced they will not partake in the competition.
Márcia Guímaro Rodrigues | 17:26 – 04/12/2025
The new rules, it should be noted, include a reduction in public votes and the return of jurors in the semifinals, aiming to “enhance confidence, transparency, and public engagement” in the event.
Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia announce boycott
On Thursday, RTVE carried through its threat from months ago and announced Spain’s “exit from the Eurovision Song Contest.”
The Dutch public broadcaster, AVROTROS, also announced that it “will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026.”
“Considering all aspects, AVROTROS concludes that participation under the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us,” the broadcaster announced on its website.
RTE, the public broadcaster of Ireland, also announced that it “will not participate in or broadcast next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, after the European Broadcasting Union (UER), organizer of the event, confirmed today that Israel will be allowed to participate.”
From Slovenia, RTVSLO reported that it “will not be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest.”
Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia have officially withdrawn from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after the European Broadcasting Union (UER) General Assembly confirmed Israel’s participation in the event. Portugal, however, remains determined. What is known?
Daniela Filipe | 08:39 – 05/12/2025
