Eurovision Song Contest

Spainish PM Pedro Sánchez defends Spain’s Eurovision boycott over Israel’s participation

Sánchez sharply criticized the European Broadcasting Union over its decision to allow Israel to participate in the competition. He accused Israel of genocide and said Spain was taking a stand.

 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a plenary session of the lower house of the Spanish parliament, in Madrid, Spain, May 22, 2024.
ISRAELI SINGER Noam Bettan, representing Israel with the song 'Michelle', celebrates in the artist's zone during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 (ESC) at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria on May 16, 2026.

Israel’s Noam Bettan takes second place in Eurovision 2026, Bulgaria wins

‘Angel for Jerusalem’

Jerusalem Highlights: May 15-21

NOAM BETTAN and the Israeli delegation celebrate after qualifying for the Grand final during the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, on Tuesday. (

My Word: The sounds that drown out the music - opinion


Israel will take part in the first Eurovision semifinal, EBU announces

This year’s Eurovision contest will take place in Austria in May, with the semifinals set for May 12 and May 14 and the finals on May 16.

ISRAEL HAS been singled out as no country ever has been before at Eurovision. Here, viewers cheer as they watch this year’s Eurovision Song Contest finals being screened at a community center in Tel Aviv, in May.

Boycotts and rule changes don’t stop Israel topping Eurovision odds

Israel leads Eurovisionworld.com’s early odds with 10%, followed by Sweden 9%, Ukraine 7%, Finland 6%, and Italy 5%.

 Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.

Eurovision host says it won't ban Palestinian flags, drown out boos during Israel's performance

The 70th edition of the contest in May will have just 35 entries, the fewest since 2003, after five national broadcasters said they would boycott the show in protest against Israel's participation.

Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.

Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo announces they are returning their trophy in protest against Israel

The comments are the latest protest against the European Broadcasting Union, which has seen five countries pull out after it cleared Israel last week to take part in next year's event in Austria.

Nemo, representing Switzerland, performs "The Code" during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, May 11, 2024.

Boycotts could hurt Eurovision budget but not the 'show,' host ORF says

At a meeting on Thursday, national broadcasters that make up the European Broadcasting Union cleared Israel to take part in the next contest in May

People cheer as they watch the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest finals being screened at a community center in Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 17, 2025.

Germany knows that erasing Israel from various platforms does nothing for peace - editorial

The Germans, speaking from painful experience, believe that this type of exclusion should never be normalized, and attempts to delegitimize an entire people never end well. The world should listen.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to suspend arms deliveries to Israel has unleashed quite a storm at home, says the writer.

Eurovision Song Contest changes voting rules after controversial allegations against Israel

The new rules by the European Broadcasting Union discourage governments and third parties from "disproportionately promoting" songs to sway voters.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

A ‘next’ star no more: Yuval Raphael burns bright in headlining concert debut - review

Yuval Raphael dazzles her Israeli fans in Tel Aviv, performing hits from her Eurovision journey, new EP, and more, with powerful tributes and surprise guests.

YUVAL RAPHAEL performs on Saturday night to ecstatic fans in Tel Aviv.

Eurovision shocker: Austria will not host if Israel boycott is approved

Following international pressure for the Eurovision Song Contest to boycott Israel, Austria announces that it will not take part if Israel is kept out.

JJ, representing Austria, winner of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, kisses his trophy during a visit to the Chancellory in Vienna, Austria, May 19, 2025

German Chancellor says Germany likely to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel banned

The German leader also expressed his condolences to Herzog on the upcoming two-year anniversary since Hamas had murdered 1,200 people and taken around 250 hostages in southern Israel. 

Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden attends a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) in Berlin, Germany, July 1, 2025.