Spain and the Netherlands pull out of 2026 Eurovision as Israel’s participation roils contest
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Spain and the Netherlands say they are pulling out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest as Israel’s participation roils the competition.
Dutch broadcaster says Israel’s participation ‘is no longer compatible’ with its intentions
The Associated Press · Posted: Dec 04, 2025 1:18 PM EST | Last Updated: 32 minutes ago
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Singer Yuval Raphael from Israel holds the national flag during a dress rehearsal for the grand final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest on May 16 in Basel, Switzerland. Spain and the Netherlands have said they will no longer compete in the contest because of Israel’s continued involvement. (Martin Meissner/The Associated Press)
Spain and the Netherlands say they are pulling out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest as Israel’s participation roils the competition.
The announcements came Thursday after the body that runs Eurovision met to discuss concerns about Israel’s role in the contest amid its conduct of the war in Gaza.
Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said that the participation of Israel “is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster.”
The pullouts came after members of the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, voted to adopt tougher voting rules in response to allegations that Israel manipulated the vote in favour of their contestant.
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