BBC-Eurovision 2026: UK broadcaster backs decision to let Israel join contest as four countries pledge to boycott event | The Independent (2025-12-05)
>> 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 [Israel] to compete.
>> The EBU backed away from calling a vote on Israeli participation, and instead passed rules aimed at discouraging governments from influencing the contest.
>> A BBC spokesperson said: “We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU…
>> By contrast, Irish national broadcaster RTE says it will not broadcast the song contest …
>> “RTE 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…”
#BoycottEurovision #eurovision2026
@palestine@lemmy.ml @palestine@fedibird.com
Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision; Spain, Ireland and others quit in protest | #Reuters (2025-12-05)
>> Jose Pablo Lopez, head of Spanish state broadcaster RTVE said on X: “What happened in the EBU Assembly confirms that Eurovision is not a song contest but a festival dominated by geopolitical interests and fractured.”
>> RTV Slovenija said it together with Spain, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Turkey, Algeria and Iceland requested a secret vote on Israel’s participation, but it was not held.
>> Icelandic public broadcaster RUV said its board will make a decision on Wednesday on whether to participate in the next Eurovision …
#Gaza #palestine #Iceland
#BoycottEurovision #eurovision2026
@palestine@lemmy.ml @palestine@fedibird.com