"Following announcements from Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland, Spain became on Wednesday the first country among the "Big Five," the five largest contributors to the Eurovision Song Contest, to officially declare its decision to boycott the 2026 event to be held in Vienna from May 12-16, if Israel's participation goes ahead as planned. The country's withdrawal was approved by a majority of the board of directors of Spanish state broadcaster RTVE, with 10 votes in favour, four against, and one abstention."
"Israel made its debut at Eurovision in 1973, when it was still called the "Grand Prix d'Eurovision de la Chanson." That was when the country became a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an association including 73 active members of broadcasters from 56 countries and 35 associate members from 21 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East."
Spain became the first of the Eurovision "Big Five" to approve withdrawal from the 2026 contest in Vienna should Israel participate. The RTVE board voted 10 in favour, four against and one abstention to withdraw after Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun said Spain should pull out if Israel remained listed as a participant. Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS also questioned Israel's participation given the severe human suffering in Gaza. A decision on Israel's participation is expected in December. Israel debuted at Eurovision in 1973 as a member of the European Broadcasting Union, which includes broadcasters across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Read at www.dw.com
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