BBC backs decision to let Israel join Eurovision as four countries boycott event

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

57% : " The Conservatives said it was "absolutely right" for Israel to be part of Eurovision.
54% : The RTE statement said: "Following today's EBU winter general assembly in Geneva at which Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTE's position remains unchanged.
54% : After the decision to allow Israel to compete, the country's president, Isaac Herzog, wrote on social media: "Israel deserves to be represented on every stage around the world, a cause to which I am fully and actively committed.
52% : Shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddleston said: "It is deeply concerning to see so many countries choosing to boycott the event because of Israel's inclusion.
51% : " Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated against Israel's inclusion near a free concert in the centre of Basel when the 2025 competition took place.
48% : Ireland, Spain, Netherlands and Slovenia lead action protesting against Israeli conduct in Gaza war The BBC is backing a decision to let Israel take part in next year's Eurovision song contest after a string of countries and their broadcasters pledged to boycott the event. Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia say they will not take part in the 2026 competition because the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) cleared the way for the country to compete.
44% : " By contrast, Irish national broadcaster RTE says it will not broadcast the song contest, describing Israel's participation as "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza".
40% : Russia was banned from Eurovision after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but Israel has continued to compete for the past two years despite disputes.
38% : " In September, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia all threatened to withdraw unless Israel was excluded.
38% : Germany, a major Eurovision backer, had said it would not take part if Israel were barred.
37% : A row had blown up over whether Israel should be allowed to join the contest amid its conduct in the war in Gaza.
37% : "Our message is: we will not participate in the European Song Contest if Israel is there.

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