Spain’s state broadcaster has spoken: If Israel participates in Eurovision 2026, then Spain will withdraw. We are reprinting their statement in full below.
Spain will withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates
– The Corporation’s Board of Directors made this decision this Tuesday by an absolute majority of its members.
– Spain is the first member of the Big Five to adopt this agreement and joins other European countries that have already announced their withdrawal.
– This decision does not alter plans for the Benidorm Fest, a well-established festival with its own identity.
The RTVE Board of Directors agreed during its meeting this Tuesday, September 16, that Spain will withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates.
The measure was adopted at the proposal of RTVE President José Pablo López, by an absolute majority of the Corporation’s governing body, with 10 votes in favor, 4 against, and one abstention.
Spain is the first member of the Big Five (composed of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain) to adopt this decision and joins other countries that have already announced their withdrawal from Eurovision if Israel is not excluded, following the announcements by Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands.
Last July, at the 94th EBU General Assembly, RTVE called for a serious and in-depth debate on Israel’s presence in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Other countries also echoed Spain’s request. The Corporation emphasized the need for the EBU to find a solution before the next General Assembly, which will be held in December.
The decision taken today by the RTVE Board of Directors regarding Eurovision does not alter plans for the Benidorm Fest, a fully established festival with its own identity and celebrating its fifth edition next year.
