ZURICH (Reuters) -Austria’s foreign minister has appealed to countries not to boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest – due to be held in Vienna – over Israel’s participation and concerns about the war in Gaza.

Spanish state broadcaster RTVE’s board voted on Tuesday to withdraw from the 2026 event if Israel takes part, becoming the fifth country to make such a pledge.

The Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland and Ireland have made similar pledges, while Belgian broadcaster VRT has said it supports their stance.

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger wrote to colleagues in the six countries on Friday, saying she was concerned about boycotts creating division and not improving the situation in Gaza.

“As foreign minister of the host country, I am deeply concerned about the risk of a

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