Spain May Boycott Eurovision 2026 Over Israel’s Participation
Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has warned that Spain may withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to participate, citing concerns over Israel’s actions in Gaza, which he described as "genocide."
Kokcha News Agency — Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun, in an interview with Spain’s state radio RNE, expressed deep concerns over Israel’s potential participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
Urtasun stated that if Israel is not excluded from the competition, Spain should follow the lead of countries like Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands by withdrawing from the event.
He emphasized that cultural and sporting events should not normalize or whitewash acts of genocide, referencing the recent disruption of the La Vuelta cycling race in Madrid due to anti-Israel protests.
Urtasun, who is also the spokesperson for the Sumar alliance, a junior partner in Spain’s coalition government, claimed that Spain has taken a firmer stance against Israel in recent months due to his party’s efforts.
He criticized the main opposition party, the People’s Party (PP), for its inconsistent foreign policy, pointing out their silence on Russia’s exclusion from international events while failing to take a similar stance on Israel.
The number of countries threatening to boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate continues to grow. Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands have already announced their withdrawal, while Iceland, Belgium, and Spain have signaled they may take similar action.
