People are boycotting Eurovision primarily due to Israel's participation amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Several countries have withdrawn from the 2026 contest over this issue.

Boycotting Countries

Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland have announced they will not participate in Eurovision 2026. Their national broadcasters cited moral concerns, including the high death toll in Gaza—over 70,000 reported fatalities—and a humanitarian crisis. They also accused Israel of interfering in prior contests and breaching press freedom.

Key Reasons

• Gaza Conflict : Broadcasters like Ireland's RTÉ stated participation is indefensible given the loss of civilian lives.

• EBU Decisions : The European Broadcasting Union declined to vote on excluding Israel, opting for new rules against external promotion instead.

• Past Controversies : Calls intensified after Israel's 2023-2025 entries, with government encouragement of votes and pro-Palestinian protests.

Broader Context

Fan and activist groups, including BDS, urge boycotts viewing Eurovision as PR for Israel, contrasting Russia's 2022 exclusion. Previous years saw artist withdrawals and protests in host cities like Malmö.