Germany slams Eurovision boycott threats over Israel’s participation

Germany’s culture minister has criticised threats by European countries to boycott next year’s Eurovision if Israel is allowed to take part, calling the move an attempt to politicise a cultural event.

Spain announced this week it would pull out of the contest scheduled for May if Israel participates, while Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands have issued similar warnings.

“Eurovision was founded to bring nations together through music. Excluding Israel today goes against this fundamental idea and turns a celebration of understanding between peoples into a tribunal,” Wolfram Weimer said in a statement.

Austria, which will host the competition, expressed regret over the boycott threats on Friday. Belgium, Sweden and Finland are also considering whether to withdraw, with a final decision expected by December.

“Eurovision is based on the principle that artists are judged on their art and not on their nationality. The culture of cancellation is not the solution — the solution is diversity and cohesion,” Weimer added.

The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the contest, will decide in December if Israel will be allowed to compete in the 2026 edition.

Eurovision continues to draw massive audiences, with this year’s event in Basel attracting 166 million viewers across 37 countries.

The contest has increasingly been the focus of political tensions. Pro-Palestinian activists protested against Israel’s participation in Malmo in 2024 and again in Basel in May, as Israel pressed ahead with its war on Gaza.