Spain's RTVE boycotts Eurovision, denounces Russia's potential return and Israel's participation

Spain's public broadcaster RTVE, a member of the Eurovision "Big Five", withdrew from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest held in Vienna, citing the continued participation of Israel and calling for "peace and justice for Gaza". The boycott is supported by the Spanish government, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez saying the country is on "the right side of history", and aligns with similar withdrawals by the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland.

RTVE president José Pablo López also condemned comments by ESC director Martin Green, who suggested a possible future return of Russia to the competition despite the war in Ukraine. López called Green's remarks "an egregious insult to European values" and accused the European Broadcasting Union of double standards. The EBU hopes the boycotting nations will re‑enter the contest next year.

The controversy highlights increasing politicisation of the Eurovision Song Contest, with debates over voting, eligibility criteria and the competition's role in upholding human‑rights standards.