Spain's Public Broadcaster RTVE Will Refuse to Air Eurovision Over Israel's Participation

RTVE Will Not Broadcast Eurovision 2026

Spain's state broadcaster RTVE has announced it will not air the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, marking the first time the country has boycotted coverage since beginning its participation in 1961.

The decision affects the final on May 16 and both semi-finals on May 12 and May 14. The 70th edition of the contest will be held in Vienna, Austria.

Why RTVE Is Boycotting

RTVE previously declared in December that it would boycott the competition if Israel participated. Despite this position, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) voted to allow Israel's inclusion.

RTVE General Secretary Alfonso Morales explained: "The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, and Israel's use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event."

Last Year's Controversy in Basel

Israel's participation in last year's Eurovision in Basel, Switzerland, generated significant controversy. The event featured:

• Palestinian flags among spectators
• Security interventions with pro-Palestinian protesters
• Allegations that crowd audio was edited to obscure negative reactions to Israel's performance

RTVE subsequently requested an audit into Spain's voting distribution and expressed doubts about the results' validity. The broadcaster aired a message stating: "In the face of human rights, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine."

Sánchez Criticises Double Standards

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticised the EBU for applying a double standard, comparing Israel's continued participation to Russia's exclusion in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. He argued that the treatment should be consistent across similar situations.

Spain's Significance in Eurovision

Spain is one of the "Big Five" countries — alongside the UK, France, Germany, and Italy — that receive automatic entry to the Eurovision final due to their broadcasters' financial contributions to the EBU. RTVE's boycott is therefore a significant statement, both politically and financially.

This article is based on reporting from The Olive Press, published April 18, 2026. The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is scheduled for May 12–16 in Vienna, Austria.