Eurovision 2026: France and Australia confirm participation despite boycott threats over Israel

As tensions continue to mount over a growing number of countries threatening to drop out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest should Israel be kept on the line-up, France and Australia have both confirmed they’ll be heading to Vienna next May.  

Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) has stated it intends to broadcast Eurovision 2026 “regardless of whether the EBU [European Broadcasting Union, which organises the competition] allows Israel to participate or not,” with the broadcaster highlighting in a statement that it will continue its tradition of celebrating “diversity and inclusion with all Australians.” 

“France Télévisions is pleased to confirm its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 on May 16 in Vienna, alongside fellow public service media members of the EBU,” wrote the French broadcaster in a statement, with no comment regarding Israel's presence in the contest. “The group reaffirms its support for musical creation, to artists, and for this unique event.” 

France is one of the “Big 5” - the five biggest financial contributors to the contest, alongside Italy, the UK, Germany and Spain.  

Earlier this week, Spain's public broadcaster RTVE officially announced that it would not take part if Israel participates, with the support of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture. Considering Spain is one of the "Big 5", the country's withdrawal could pose significant financial problems for the competition.  

“The genocide currently taking place make[s] it impossible for us to look the other way,” said the broadcaster.  

Spain joins Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands, which are also threatening to boycott Eurovision 2026.

Additionally, Eurovoix reports that Danish broadcaster DR has stated it will not withdraw from Eurovision if Israel competes. However, it has set conditions for its continued participation.

In a statement to DR Nyheder, Gustav Lützhøft, the senior editor of DR Culture, Debate and Music, has outlined the Danish broadcaster’s position on participation in the Eurovision Song Contest: “Our participation is conditional on there still being a strong international community, security in place and an apolitical framework around the competition. Our participation is neither a support for nor a protest against individual countries, but rather a desire to maintain communities across borders.”

KAN, Israel's public television broadcaster, has no intention of backing down and plans to participate in next year’s edition.  

In recent days, there have been reports regarding an “unofficial” compromise proposal from the EBU, suggesting that Israel temporarily withdraw or compete under a neutral banner. 

While Eurovision is supposedly apolitical, the EBU excluded Russia from the competition shortly after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Israel has continued to compete over the past two years despite growing international concerns over its actions in Gaza.

Since Hamas’ attack on Israeli citizens on October 7, 2023, multiple UN human rights experts have stated that Israel’s military actions in Gaza amount to genocide, with the International Court of Justice finding claims of genocide plausible. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification announced that people in the Gaza Strip are officially facing “a man-made” famine in the territory – despite what the Israeli government has said.  

The decision on Israel’s inclusion will be made by the contest’s governing body in December. 

The 70th anniversary edition of Eurovision is due to take place in Vienna, Austria.The finale will take place on 16 May after the semi-finals on 12 and 14 May 2026.