A motion for rule change has been passed which has led to the confirmation of Israel in Eurovision 2026. Henceforth, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia have stayed true to their word and withdrew.

Unfortunately, Belgium confirmed and Iceland would make its decision next Wednesday. Employees from the Portuguese broadcaster were disgruntled about their broadcaster's decision:

As for me, I will not create threads for the contest next year and will not host any contest simulating the real event.

Like I said before, I am happy to comment on the shitshow this turns into, from a news-related perspective. That is interesting to me because I care about the concept of the contest, as much as I hate what it has turned into. I don't feel motivated at this moment to listen to any of the eventual entries with any sort of positive feeling towards them doing well in a song contest. They have robbed me of that, with their political stances. The lie that anything is non-political with nation states has always been a bristling one but for them to gaslight us in that way is a solid reminder of the Israeli and EBU immorality.

I may musically follow some of the national finals, particularly those that exist as more than just a selection show for Eurovision, I'm not going to stop enjoying pan-European pop. I can't see myself wanting to watch the show in May though for any reason other than documenting what is surely going to be a stilted, joyless car-crash of a contest.

Eventually, I want this contest to be reclaimed from the current heads of the EBU and their acceptance of Israeli, and all other malevolent interference from Azerbaijan to historically Russia to conservative heads of broadcasters like ÖRF. For now, that starts with 2026 being a failure, I hope to see at least a few NF winners whose contracts aren't tied up tight refuse to go, I hope that artists in general resist the EBU clamping down on them to speak out, very few creatives at the average age of Eurovision artists have no opinions on the Israel matter. Too early to say exactly what form it will take but I hope and anticipate many controversies that even the EBU's contracts can't shake.

Much respect to all the departing countries, all some of the most valuable Eurovision members over the years and on the right side of history, and a side-eye to every one that stays in.

I have to be honest, I dont think I can bring myself to watch something I love be utterly destroyed for the sake of a few fragile egos and a country that isn’t even f***ing European.

Well played Ireland!

On 06/12/2025 at 11:00, Silas said:

I have to be honest, I dont think I can bring myself to watch something I love be utterly destroyed for the sake of a few fragile egos and a country that isn’t even f***ing European.

Yeah this sums up my feelings quite well. I really hope RUV makes the right decision on Wednesday. I know there is division within the ones in charge, but I really want Iceland to be on the right side of history here. Much respect to those countries that have withdrawn

On 06/12/2025 at 11:00, Silas said:

I have to be honest, I dont think I can bring myself to watch something I love be utterly destroyed for the sake of a few fragile egos and a country that isn’t even f***ing European.

10000%, it’s just completely tarnished something I’ve been obsessed with for 20 years. I mean obviously the past couple of contests have been heading that way due to Israel but the fact they’ve so decisively backed Israel is just it for me. I won’t be able to respect any artist from the remaining countries that willingly goes on to represent them in this clusterf*** of Zionism. As Iz said I’m kind of just following the news and watching the mess like a car wreck you can’t look away from, but I have no interest in the actual show and I doubt I will even bother with half the entries at this point. Whilst it was going downhill rapidly and it was a matter of time before an Israel win, for something I’ve loved this long to be gone so decisively is really weird but also quite easy, I just don’t care anymore.

It will be interesting to see, in terms of Sanremo for example, if the winners of the big NFs are less likely to choose to go to Eurovision. I have seen whispers that a lot of Italian artists aren’t happy with how pro Israel RAI has been and that’s why there is a subpar lineup this time around, I believe Italy in general is more pro Palestine so I can see that lot of artists would not want to compete, even if Sanremo is not strictly a Eurovision selection. Melfest is actually a great lineup so and always a great show by itself so I will probably follow that but again, whilst I know it’s probably contractual there, it will marr whoever wins that they go on to represent Sweden in this mess. But Israel isn’t going to stop me enjoying European pop that I would like anyway, they’ve robbed me of enough.

I’ll actually also be interested to see if a lot of the fans I follow on Twitter or smaller news sites etc boycott and actually follow through with it, or come May will we see people forgetting and just watching anyway? I also wonder what viewing figures will be like on the BBC, I’m not sure casuals who just watch with family once a year will care.

Iceland has formally withdrawn from Eurovision! I'm very proud of my country and RÚV for making this decision and sticking to their guns. Eurovision doesn't bring joy anymore which is sad to say given just how massive Eurovision is and always has been in Iceland, generally clocking in at around 90%+ viewership. However, the general public is for the most part in favour of this decision and last month an official poll showed that around 2/3 of the country supports a boycott.

Also, they don't rule out hosting Söngvakeppnin despite not participating in Eurovision!

yesss iceland.

now the other scandi countries to follow suit please

I suppose it would make sense to host the selection competitions - for artist exposure and to have an act if Israel do then get disqualified

I really hope more countries follow.

The 5 are really just a perfect encapsulation of the perfect participants aren't they?

Netherlands has been rightly aggrieved by the EBU in recent editions but they stuck with the contest through thick and thin until now and recently hosted the uncontroversial and well received 2021 contest. Spain's fans have possibly the most fervence for Eurovision of all of the countries and had the longest unbroken participating record after the UK. Slovenia has been possibly the most consistently loyal country from the former Eastern Bloc that came with the contest expansion in the 90s. Ireland of course the long-time holder of the winning record until Sweden recently tied them and now Iceland are the country that lives and breathes Eurovision so much that they are as Jafet points out, 90%+ of the population engaged with Eurovision and the country chosen to have the Eurovision movie set there, whatever you think of that.

We lose all of them for... admittedly Israel's history with the contest is also long and storied, but their participations recently have been like night and day, showing no respect to the contest or the other participants. Before you even get to the actions of their government.

With the reports from RTP that so many of their participants will not go to Eurovision, we have to be in for an... interesting NF season, what happens when no artist (or more likely, no artist worthwhile) wants to associate their brand with this?

And losing five actual European nations for one in the Middle East!

2 minutes ago, THEYETTENING said:

And losing five actual European nations for one in the Middle East!

Sure, but that's not the issue. Geography doesn't really matter for this contest outside of the literal barriers set by the EBU square (and we know that even those can be defeated if the EBU chooses to invite outside participants), culture and values do. Israel's insistence on using the contest to whitewash its name and reputation is what matters. It'll be worse for their reputation in Europe in the long run, but their aim, to present themselves as a part of European cultural values, is why they resist removal so much.

tudor bumbac is boycotting

12 hours ago, Iz 🌟 said:

Sure, but that's not the issue. Geography doesn't really matter for this contest outside of the literal barriers set by the EBU square (and we know that even those can be defeated if the EBU chooses to invite outside participants), culture and values do. Israel's insistence on using the contest to whitewash its name and reputation is what matters. It'll be worse for their reputation in Europe in the long run, but their aim, to present themselves as a part of European cultural values, is why they resist removal so much.

But it is ironic that a competition that was set up to promote European harmony aftee the sexond world war has started to fall apart and show disharmony over a country that isn't even in Europe

I wonder if any national final winners will decline to perform at Eurovision?

Apparently a survey found 7/10 british people think that the UK should also pull out...

Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo has handed back their trophy in protest of Israel's continuing participation

Slay.

Loreen could never.

Meanwhile Martin Green...

Eurovision Song Contest

LETTER TO OUR FANS FROM MARTIN GREEN

LETTER TO OUR FANS FROM MARTIN GREEN

'As we look to next year, we will ensure that all participating broadcasters respect the rules of the competition and if they don’t you have a personal pledge from me, we will not tolerate it and call it out.'

If you actually had a track record of punishing cheaters and those who use and abuse the contest for geopolitical propaganda purposes, we wouldn't be having this discussion. Looking forward to him limply 'calling out' Israel when they win the public vote by two thousand points again.