Four countries withdraw from Eurovision after Israel allowed to participate

Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia have withdrawn from the Eurovision Song Contest in protest after Israel was permitted by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to participate in the event.

In a statement following a general meeting yesterday (4 December) the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU) said “a large majority” of member broadcasters agreed on new measures designed to “reinforce trust, transparency and the neutrality” of the annual singing competition without having to a vote on Israel’s participation in next year’s event.

The BBC was among the PSBs in support of the collective decision, stating it was about “enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive”.

The EBU’s reforms include clearer rules on promotion so as to prevent unfair influence on voting, reducing the maximum number an individual can vote from 20 to 10, making the semi-finals a 50/50 split between audience and jury votes and enhancing technical safeguards.

EBU president Delphine Ernotte Cunci said the result of the vote showcases the union’s “shared commitment to protecting transparency and trust” in the Eurovision.

“I would like to thank all members for their thoughtful, respectful and constructive contributions during today’s session and throughout the extensive consultation process undertaken this year,” she continued.

“These discussions have led to meaningful changes to the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, ensuring it remains a place for unity and cultural exchange.”

Slovenia, Spain, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Iceland, Turkey and Algeria (the latter two do not participate in the ESC) had requested a secret vote regarding Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, but this motion was rejected.

Following their withdrawal, Spain’s RTVE, Ireland’s RTÉ, RTV SLO in Slovenia and Dutch PSB Avrotros will not broadcast the competition, though Dutch umbrella broadcasting organisation NPO is searching for ways it can bring the Eurovision to local viewers.

RTVE said the rejection of the secret ballot on whether Israeli broadcaster KAN should participate in the event “increases RTVE’s distrust of the festival’s organisation and confirms the political pressure surrounding it”.

Avrotros chief exec Taco Zimmerman said the withdrawal reiterated the broadcaster’s stance from September and that its “participation cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organization”.

He said: “Universal values like humanity and a free press have been seriously violated and are non-negotiable for us. Furthermore, last year’s political interference demonstrated that the independence and unifying nature of the Eurovision Song Contest can no longer be taken for granted.”

RTÉ will also not air next year’s event, which will be held in Vienna, stating: “RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.

“RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory.”

RTV SLO president Natalija Gorščak added: “For the third year in a row, the public has been demanding that we say no to the cooperation of any country that is attacking another country. We must follow European standards for peace and understanding.”

Many of the cohort of countries that have with withdrawn are significant to the competition. Spain is among the ‘big five’ countries – alongside the UK, Germany, France and Italy – who contribute the most funding to the event, The Netherlands is also a significant backer, and Ireland holds the joint record for the most wins.

The full list of participating broadcasters for the 70th-anniversary edition of the ESC will be announced before Christmas.