Usually known more for pop anthems and extravagant costumes than for political disagreements, the Eurovision Song Contest is facing a major boycott after a push to eject Israel from the contest was rejected.

National broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands all said they would not take part in the 2026 contest, citing Israel’s continued participation in the contest amid the war in Gaza.

In public statements on Thursday, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS cited the “humanitarian suffering in Gaza” and alleged “political interference” in the contest, while Ireland’s RTÉ said its continued participation was “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there.”

Alfonso Morales, secretary-general of Spanish broadcaster RTVE, said “the

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