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A senior government minister has warned Spain that it could withdraw from 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, if Israel was allowed to participate.
Speaking to TVE, culture minister Ernest Urtasun called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – the producers and organisers of Eurovision – to expel Israel over its ongoing military offensive in Gaza, and raised the possibility that next year’s competition could go ahead without Spain unless action is taken.
He said: “I don’t think we can normalise Israel’s participation in international event as if it were nothing.”
“Events like Eurovision or the Vuelta a España bring a certain representation of a country,” Urtasun added, referring to the Spanish equivalent of the Tour de France currently overshadowed by mass protests against the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team.
He said: “In Eurovision there is no individual artist, but rather someone who represents the citizens of a country.”
If Israel participates in next year’s song contest and ‘we fail to expel them, measures will have to be taken’, Urtasun said, hinting that Spain could launch a boycott already mooted by Slovenia’s national broadcaster.
READ MORE: Spain’s Pedro Sanchez demands Israel be kicked out of Eurovision ‘like Russia was’
The Spanish state broadcaster RTVE will make the final decision about whether or not to participate.
Israel’s participation at the 2025 edition Eurovision in Basel, which was watched by more than 150 million people, caused a great deal of controversy.
There were several Palestinian flags in the audience during the final. Two pro Palestinian protesters were restrained by security when they attempted to disrupt proceedings. Graham Norton, a BBC commentator who covers Eurovision in the UK suggested that the crowd noise was edited to cover up boos or jeers during Israel’s performance.
After the contest RTVE asked EBU for a audit to clarify the Spanish televote. Spain gave Israel twelve maximum points.
According to El País, officials at RTVE expressed ‘doubts’ over the validity of the results.
Before its coverage, the broadcaster sent a message of solidarity with Palestinians. The message, ‘In the face of human rights, silence is not an option. Spain was shown the video Peace and Justice for Palestine.
Even prime minister Pedro Sanchez weighed in on the debate over Israel’s participation, accusing the EBU of perpetuating a ‘double standard’ by allowing Israel to compete.
READ MORE UK Eurovision entry sparks controversy in Spain for appearing to endorse ‘balconing’
Sanchez compared this situation to 2022, when Russia was booted from the song contest after the invasion of Ukraine.
“Nobody hid their faces when Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago. They were told to stop participating in international competitions as well as Eurovision, which we’ve seen recently. “Israel should not be allowed to participate in international competitions either,” Sanchez said.
He also said: “Israel must not be allowed to exist.” [to participate] We cannot tolerate double standards.”
Sanchez stepped up his criticism against Israel on Monday. He announced nine measures to make Binyamin Netanyahou stop military activities in Gaza.
He said: “Protecting a country and a society is important, but bombing and starving innocent children is not.”
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