Spain threatens to pull out of Eurovision if Israel participates | BBC News

Spain has joined four other European nations in threatening to boycott Eurovision if Israel is allowed to take part.

The five countries - which include Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland - have said they won’t take part in the annual song contest in protest of Israel's actions in Gaza.

In 2024, Spain joined Norway and Ireland in acknowledging a Palestinian state and last week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Israel of genocide and announced a series of measures against it, including an arms embargo.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded by accusing Sanchez's administration of being antisemitic and of using "wild and hateful rhetoric".

BBC director general Tim Davie has said the corporation is "aware of the concerns" around Israel taking part in next year's Eurovision, adding that the song contest has "never been about politics".

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Post from BBC News on September 15, 2025

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