Spain’s state broadcaster has spoken: If Israel participates in Eurovision 2026, then Spain will withdraw. We are reprinting their statement in full below.
Spain will withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates
– The Corporation’s Board of Directors made this decision this Tuesday by an absolute majority of its members.
– Spain is the first member of the Big Five to adopt this agreement and joins other European countries that have already announced their withdrawal.
– This decision does not alter plans for the Benidorm Fest, a well-established festival with its own identity.
The RTVE Board of Directors agreed during its meeting this Tuesday, September 16, that Spain will withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates.
The measure was adopted at the proposal of RTVE President José Pablo López, by an absolute majority of the Corporation’s governing body, with 10 votes in favor, 4 against, and one abstention.
Spain is the first member of the Big Five (composed of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain) to adopt this decision and joins other countries that have already announced their withdrawal from Eurovision if Israel is not excluded, following the announcements by Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands.
Last July, at the 94th EBU General Assembly, RTVE called for a serious and in-depth debate on Israel’s presence in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Other countries also echoed Spain’s request. The Corporation emphasized the need for the EBU to find a solution before the next General Assembly, which will be held in December.
The decision taken today by the RTVE Board of Directors regarding Eurovision does not alter plans for the Benidorm Fest, a fully established festival with its own identity and celebrating its fifth edition next year.
Siiiiiii Españaaaa
I applaud this decision.. Span, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia…who’s next.
1956 took place with just seven countries. I guess to celebrate the 70th anniversary, the EBU plan on repeating that. Enjoy.
What we must continue to make clear is that the “apolithic” option is not on the table. Both preventing Israel’s participation and allowing it are political decisions. This year, it became very clear how political it is to allow them to participate, not only because of the whitewashing, but also because by choosing a survivor of the Hamas attack, they prevented the candidacy from being separated from the genocide or the use of government structures outside their television network to manipulate the televote, etc., etc., etc. I hope Spain is the first of many (of the big ones) to make… Read more »
Well considering Spain alone has a huge part in the eurovision budget and promotion, you eurofans, even if u support Israel, should be begging on your hands and knees spain stays. Thats not including the 4 other countries who will also withdraw
Fuerza España!
Spain l am really proud and big thumbs up for your decision.
Most Spaniards dont care about Eurovisión. Most of the people in Spain wont even realize that there is no Eurovision this year. So withdrawing from Eurovision does not have any polítical impact… We Will see if Spain also withdraw from internacional football competitions.
The clutching at straws from you lot really needs to stop. Y’all call the woke people delusional.
Get a grip
Spain literally provides one of the contest’s biggest audiences every year you fool
That’s gotta count for something, right? Even with the EBU. One of the Big 5 taking a stand is as big as it gets.
Good.
EBU, ever hear of the UN?
Please google them and get back to us.
It’s not the EBU but the ESC organizers specifically. I think the EBU is very clear about what’s going on: they released a statement last month urging unrestricted access to conflict zones for journalists, so that they can report accurately.
Israel will be out of the 2026 contest officially only in December because it is escalating the war and its broadcaster is in alliance with the government’s talking points, but I have utter contempt for Rtve’s ‘blackmailing’ tactics and hysteria while their prime minister’s own corruption scandals and politicization of La Vuelta among other events speak volumes about how far he’d go to save his own butt.
Rtve don’t have a prime minister, Spain does.
Rtve echoes the policies and messaging of the ruling government.
If we want to talk about how far a certain politician will go to “save his own butt”, I think there’s a much worse example going on in the world right now than “politicization” (cool new word) of a biking event.
bravo!!!
At this point I can’t see how ESC26 can go forward with Israel in.
What if, Austria, the host broadcaster, say they will abandon ship if Israel is excluded?
Estonia (3rd place) or another country could take on hosting rights.
it’s more likely Germany, UK or Italy will withdraw all together. Especially in Germany the whole topic about antisemitism is extreme atm. There will be a discussion on german Media if Israel is excluded. I can guarentee that.
I was thing about that, it put’s Austria in an awkward position.
That will be their choice and responsibility. Believe me, they won’t.
As a matter of fact Austria boycotted Eurovision 69 in Spain because it was a dictatorship at the time. Maybe Israel’s democracy is the model Austria was eager to defend.