Four countries have announced that they are boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 because of the organizers’ much-criticized decision to allow Israel to continue participating in the competition, despite its genocide.

Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands are pulling out of the competition for next year, after the body behind the competition, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), refused to hold a vote on barring Israel on Thursday.

In a statement , the EBU said that “all EBU members who wish to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 and agree to comply with the new rules are eligible to take part.”

The dissenting countries’ broadcasters cited Israel’s genocide in Gaza as their reason for boycotting.

Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, said it felt “parti

See Full Page