Spanish culture minister warned of possible measures if Israel is not expelled, while Slovenia announced it will boycott contest if Israel is allowed to return next year
Spain and Slovenia have stepped up their opposition to Israel's potential involvement in Eurovision 2026, raising the prospect of high-profile withdrawals from the song contest.
On Monday, Spain's Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun publicly opened the door to the country's exit if Israel is not expelled.
Speaking on La Hora de La 1, Urtasun said that while the final decision lies with public broadcaster RTVE, radical steps may be necessary if Israel participates.
He emphasized that Spain had already formally requested Israel's exclusion and warned that the government would consider "measures… if not expelled," arguing that allowing Israel's presence would constitute "normalizing" its role in international forums amid the ongoing Gaza offensive, where at least 64,600 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.
On Friday, Slovenia's public broadcaster RTV Slovenija announced that the country will not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to return next year. The move, framed as an act of solidarity with Palestine, reflects a position first voiced at the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) General Assembly in July.
The EBU has extended the deadline for broadcasters to confirm participation until mid-December and is expected to vote on Israel's eligibility during its next assembly in Geneva on Dec. 4-5.
