Eurovision Opens in Vienna Minus 5 Countries as Israel Row Threatens 166 Million-Viewer Event
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 12
Eurovision Opens in Vienna Minus 5 Countries as Israel Row Threatens 166 Million-Viewer Event
10 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 12
Five countries — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland — are boycotting or partly withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 as the contest opens Tuesday in Vienna over Israel’s participation.
Three broadcasters — in Ireland, Slovenia and Spain — will not air Saturday’s final, putting at risk audiences that totaled just under 5.9 million last year and likely reversing 2025’s record 166 million global viewership.
Vienna is also bracing for street protests: about 3,000 people are expected at a Nakba Day rally on Friday and another 3,000 at a pro-Palestinian march on the day of the final, while a small pro-Israel counterdemonstration is planned.
The split traces back to December, when the five breakaway nations announced a boycott after Israel was cleared to compete before participating broadcasters were allowed to vote on its inclusion.
The dispute adds financial pressure to Eurovision’s 70th anniversary edition, with 52% in one Austrian poll saying hosting is too expensive and critics warning public broadcasters may find the event harder to fund.
With boycotts shattering its unity, is this the end of Eurovision's apolitical dream?
Can a new venture in Asia save Eurovision from its European political crisis?
Eurovision 2026 Fractured: How the Gaza Conflict and Israel’s Entry Redefined the Contest
Overview
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in May 2026 takes place in a tense and divided atmosphere, shaped by ongoing geopolitical conflict. Israel’s participation is at the center of controversy, following its military offensive in Gaza that began after a deadly Hamas-led attack in October 2023. The humanitarian crisis and strong public reactions have led to boycotts, protests, and new voting rules to protect the contest’s integrity. Despite a ceasefire in place since October 2025, the event’s usual celebratory spirit is overshadowed by deep divisions, heightened security, and questions about Eurovision’s future as a unifying cultural event.