Spain to quit Eurovision Song Contest if Israel compete

Spain's national broadcaster held a vote to decide.

Spain is the latest country to put pressure organisers to exclude Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland have also said that they will pull out of the contest.

Spain is the first of the 'Big Five' to announce their boycott.

The Big Five are the five nations who automatically qualify for the contest's final round and consists of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy.

These five are guaranteed qualification because they give the highest financial contributions to Eurovision.

The Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group, the competition's governing body, have said a decision on Israel's participation is pending and that it has "taken note of the concerns expressed by several broadcasters".

BBC Director General, Tim Davie, has been facing calls to withdraw the UK from Eurovision, however his latest stance is that 'Eurovision has never been about politics'.

Speaking yesterday, Davie said: “Eurovision never has been about politics and should be a celebration of music and culture that brings people together.

“That is really important, that we try and preserve throughout, but at this stage, I’m supporting the European Broadcasting Union’s work, and they need to get on with it."

Russia was banned from Eurovision after their invasion of Ukraine in 2022, however Israel continues to compete despite countless protests.