From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Netherlands, Spain and Ireland quit 2026 Eurovision over Israeli participation
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAmy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
The public broadcasters of the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland confirm that they will back out of next year’s Eurovision in protest of Israel’s inclusion.
Iceland intends to consider whether to remain.
The Netherlands’ public broadcaster, AVROTROS, issues a statement saying that its decision “follows a careful and extensive deliberation process” and included consultations with the Israeli ambassador.
“After weighing all perspectives, AVROTROS concludes that, under the current circumstances, participation cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organization,” it says.
Spain’s RTVE also confirms it will quit next year’s competition “following the vote” held today in Geneva.
And Irish broadcaster RTE says it “feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza,” and it will not participate in or broadcast next year’s contest.
Spain is a member of the “Big Five” Eurovision nations, which give the biggest financial contributions to the competition alongside France, Germany, the UK and Italy.
The Times of Israel Community.