Spanish state broadcaster RTVE has voted to boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest should Israel be permitted to compete, becoming the fifth broadcaster to announce withdrawal plans and the first member of Eurovision’s elite “Big Five” nations to threaten non-participation.
The decision, reached through a formal vote by RTVE’s board of directors on Tuesday morning, passed with an absolute majority securing 10 votes in favour whilst four board members opposed the measure and one abstained. The Spanish broadcaster now joins public broadcasters from the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland and Ireland in mounting unprecedented pressure on the European Broadcasting Union.
Spain’s withdrawal threat carries particular weight as a member of the Big Five group—comprising Spain, Britain, Germany, Italy and France—which contributes the largest financial support to the competition and enjoys automatic qualification to the final round. The decision marks a historic moment for Spain, which has participated continuously in Eurovision since its 1961 debut.
Unprecedented Challenge to Eurovision Structure
RTVE released a statement confirming the outcome of Tuesday’s vote, whilst clarifying that the boycott decision would not affect plans for Benidorm Fest 2026, Spain’s national selection process for Eurovision contestants. This suggests the broadcaster maintains hope for a resolution before the contest in Vienna next year.
The vote follows public pressure from Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun, who had previously voiced concerns about the matter during a television interview on La hora de La 1, where he suggested Spain should consider withdrawal. His intervention added political weight to growing calls within Spain for action over the Gaza conflict.
Spain’s status within the Big Five makes this announcement particularly significant. These five nations provide substantially larger production funding compared to smaller participating broadcasters, making their continued participation essential for Eurovision’s financial viability. The coordinated nature of these withdrawals represents a major challenge to Eurovision’s traditional format and participation structure.
Momentum Builds Across Europe
The withdrawal announcements began with public broadcasters AVROTROS from the Netherlands and RTÉ from Ireland making statements last week. Both cited humanitarian concerns about the situation in Gaza as primary factors in their decision-making.
Slovenia’s RTVSLO and Iceland’s RÚV have also confirmed they will not participate if Israel competes in Vienna next year. These five broadcasters have created a coalition that the European Broadcasting Union cannot ignore, particularly with Spain’s addition bringing Big Five financial implications into play.
The timing of these announcements appears coordinated, with multiple broadcasters releasing statements within days of each other. This suggests behind-the-scenes discussions amongst European public broadcasters about presenting a united front on the issue.
Financial Stakes Threaten Contest Viability
The financial implications are particularly significant given Spain’s status within the Big Five group, whose members provide the bulk of Eurovision’s production funding. The potential loss of Spanish funding, combined with withdrawals from other nations, could force fundamental changes to the contest’s format.
With only 37 countries participating in this year’s Basel contest—already a concerning number—further withdrawals could necessitate reducing the competition from two semi-finals to one, dramatically impacting broadcasting revenues and the contest’s commercial viability.
Industry observers note that the Big Five arrangement exists precisely because these nations essentially subsidise participation for smaller broadcasters. Removing one of these financial pillars threatens the entire economic structure underpinning Eurovision.
Spain’s Eurovision Legacy at Stake
Spain’s Eurovision participation spans over six decades without interruption, establishing it as the longest-competing nation never to have withdrawn. This unbroken record underscores the gravity of RTVE’s decision.
The country secured victory twice in Eurovision history, with Massiel’s “La la la” in 1968 and Salomé’s “Vivo cantando” in 1969. The 1969 contest remains unique in Eurovision history as an unprecedented four-way tie occurred between Spain, France, Britain and the Netherlands.
At the 2025 contest in Basel, Spanish representative Melody performed “Esa Diva,” finishing 24th in the Grand Final with 37 points. Despite mixed recent results, Spain’s commitment to Eurovision has never wavered—until now.
Political Context Drives Decision
Recent Eurovision contests have witnessed demonstrations opposing Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which began following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths. The subsequent military campaign has drawn international criticism and protests at Eurovision venues.
The controversy dominated both the 2024 contest in Malmö and the 2025 edition in Basel, where protesters attempted to disrupt performances and Israeli delegations required heavy security protection. These incidents have increasingly politicised what organisers maintain should be an apolitical cultural event.
Spanish political leaders have been particularly vocal, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez previously calling for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision. Culture Minister Urtasun’s recent intervention appears to have catalysed RTVE’s board into taking formal action.
December Deadline Looms
The European Broadcasting Union faces a crucial decision at its General Assembly meeting in Geneva on December 4-5, where Israel’s participation will likely be discussed and potentially voted upon. The organisation has extended its penalty-free withdrawal deadline to mid-December, acknowledging the unprecedented situation.
Eurovision director Martin Green has stated: “We understand the concerns and deeply-held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm if they wish to take part in next year’s event in Vienna.”
The EBU has firmly denied recent media reports suggesting it proposed Israel compete under a neutral flag, calling such claims “false” and maintaining that consultations with member broadcasters remain ongoing.
Vienna’s Anniversary Edition Under Threat
The 2026 contest, scheduled for Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle, was meant to celebrate Eurovision’s 70th anniversary. Instead, it faces becoming the most fractured edition in the competition’s history.
Austria secured hosting rights after JJ’s victory in Basel with “Wasted Love,” but celebrations have been overshadowed by the mounting political crisis. The Austrian government has indicated support for Israel’s continued participation, potentially putting it at odds with multiple participating broadcasters.
The coordinated withdrawal threats represent more than symbolic protest—they strike at Eurovision’s foundational principle of cultural unity through music. The contest, born from post-war efforts to unite Europe through shared cultural experiences, now faces division along geopolitical lines.
Watershed Moment for Eurovision
RTVE’s decision represents a watershed moment for Eurovision. As the first Big Five nation to threaten withdrawal over political concerns, Spain has crossed a line previously considered unthinkable in Eurovision’s seven-decade history.
The broadcaster’s clarification that Benidorm Fest preparations will continue suggests room for negotiation remains. However, with five nations now committed to boycott positions, compromise becomes increasingly difficult without one side accepting significant political cost.
The December deadline will determine whether Eurovision can navigate this crisis whilst maintaining its traditional structure and participation levels. The EBU must balance competing pressures: maintain Israel’s participation and risk fragmenting Eurovision’s core alliance, or exclude a member nation under political pressure, abandoning claims of political neutrality.
Whatever decision emerges, the 2026 Vienna contest will mark a defining moment in Eurovision history. Spain’s unprecedented stance has transformed a song competition into a broader referendum on European values and solidarity, with implications extending far beyond the musical stage.
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Image Credit:
Baku Crystal Hall, Eurovision 2012 (23 May 2012) — photo by Vugar İbadov, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
