The international song contest “Eurovision” is on the verge of a serious crisis that calls into question its future. The reason is the intense controversy surrounding Israel’s participation against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The current situation has already been described as the largest crisis in the 70-year history of the festival. Several European countries, including Spain, are threatening to boycott if Israel is allowed to participate in the contest. The Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has already stated that it will refuse to participate in 2026, as well as stop financing and broadcasting the event, if the conflict in Gaza is not resolved. This decision is particularly significant, as Spain is the first member of the so-called “Big Five” – the key sponsors of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the contest.
Such a large-scale boycott poses serious political, economic, and reputational risks for “Eurovision”. The refusal of major countries to participate and broadcast will lead to a significant reduction in the global audience and a drop in revenue from viewer voting, which could undermine the financial stability and attractiveness of the contest.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will have to make a final decision on Israel’s admission to the contest in December, before it takes place in May 2026 in Vienna. The organizers face an unprecedented task – to maintain the unity and popularity of “Eurovision” in the face of intense international political pressure.
