BBC backs Israel’s participation in Eurovision despite expanding boycott
The BBC has confirmed its support for Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, even as a growing number of European broadcasters announce boycotts. The decision follows the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) approval of Israel’s entry, despite mounting political pressure and calls for exclusion.
According to the BBC, the priority is to “uphold the rules” of the EBU and ensure that Eurovision remains an inclusive cultural event open to all member broadcasters, regardless of geopolitical tensions. The British broadcaster also emphasized the importance of maintaining Eurovision’s longstanding tradition as a non-political, artistic showcase.
The stance has reignited controversy. Several countries — including broadcasters from Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia — have decided to withdraw in protest. Critics argue that allowing Israel to participate amid ongoing regional tensions effectively politicizes the contest and overlooks humanitarian concerns.
Despite the backlash, the EBU maintains that Eurovision must remain an apolitical cultural event, and that any exclusion must be based solely on technical or statutory grounds. Still, the expanding boycott threatens to weaken the 2026 edition both symbolically and financially, with potential declines in audience numbers and media engagement.
The situation highlights the increasingly complex challenge facing Eurovision: balancing entertainment, cultural diversity, and geopolitical pressures in an increasingly polarized international landscape.