The Spanish national broadcaster’s president criticized the EBU and Israel, sparking speculation that Spain’s budgetary and political pressure accelerated the vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026
Just hours before the official announcement that the EBU would advance the vote on Israel’s potential exclusion from Eurovision 2026 from December to November, the president of the Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, Jose Pablo Lopez Sanchez, lashed out at the handling of the crisis by the EBU. The question arises whether RTVE’s strong stance contributed to the sudden decision to accelerate the process. Did a clash occur between RTVE and the EBU, fueled also by budgetary concerns, with Spain’s central role in financing the major event influencing the timing of the vote?
Appearing yesterday before the Spanish Parliament’s supervisory committee on public broadcasting, Lopez Sanchez openly criticized the EBU and Israel, stating: “”It was time to break the silence within the EBU regarding the genocide in Gaza. The damage that the current EBU leadership is causing to the festival is immense , and we will only be able to fully assess it once the conflict and genocide in Gaza are over”.
He also addressed Spain’s dramatic threat to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel remains a participant, declaring: “Withdrawing is not a pleasant decision. Spain is one of the countries with the highest following of the festival, but this takes a backseat compared to the massacre in Gaza.It pains me greatly not to broadcast it, but there are issues that are above entertainment. It’s a decision that has to do with human rights”.
Lopez Sanchez further underscored Spain’s influence inside the EBU: “Not only are we part of the EBU, but we also chair the Eurovision Reference Group and are also the core of the EBU within the so-called Big Five”. He added: “We are all aware that the Eurovision Song Contest is not a mere song contest. Its political weight is enormous.It is the most politicized contest in existence. We all know this, and Israel knows it too, and that is why it is being used politically. That is why it is likely to win in Vienna”.
On potential solutions, he explained: “As the Chair of the Reference Group, we have proposed numerous alternatives to the EBU to resolve this situation, but it does not consider it appropriate to take any measures; we will continue working to ensure a decision is made before the December Assembly”.
Mounting Pressures and the EBU’s Response
The fierce statements made by Lopez Sanchez indicate a sharp escalation between RTVE and the EBU. The decision to advance the crucial vote from December to early November gives the impression that EBU reacted under pressure from RTVE and perhaps other countries as well. Questions remain whether the EBU requested clarifications from RTVE about its threat to withdraw and the major financial consequences such a step would bring. Spain’s potential financial withdrawal surely increases the stakes for the EBU’s decision-making.
Spain’s Central Role in Eurovision
Spain holds a pivotal position in the Big Five – the group of countries providing the largest financial contributions to the contest. This gives Spain significant political and economic influence in Eurovision. Its possible withdrawal from Eurovision 2026, as RTVE threatened if Israel continues to participate, would strike a severe financial blow. It is also the first time such a threat comes directly from one of the Big Five members, heightening its impact and adding immense pressure on the EBU to act swiftly.
The potential rupture between RTVE and the EBU raises the question of whether Spain’s harsh statements and threats directly led to the early rescheduling of the vote on Israel’s participation. What seems evident is that tensions between Spain and the EBU have reached unprecedented levels. As a crucial financial backer of the competition, RTVE’s influence over Eurovision’s stability is undeniable. Consequently, the EBU is left in a position where further clarifications from Spain over its participation and continued funding are essential, all while facing deepening political and economic challenges surrounding Eurovision 2026.
Spain in Eurovision 2025
“Esa Diva” (in English: “That Diva”) is the title of the song performed by singer Melody, who represented Spain at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland.
Spain finished 24th with 37 points – 27 points from the juries, placing 21st, and only 10 points from the televotes, placing 22nd. In the last 20 years, Spain managed to finish only 3 times in the top 10.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Spain’s 66th participation in Eurovision. Spain joined the competition in 1961 and won it twice consecutively in 1968 and 1969. Spain has hosted the contest on its territory only once in 1969 and since then holds the longest waiting time since its last victory – 56 years.
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Maor Heumann has been writing about the Eurovision Song Contest and following it for over three decades. He has attended five contests and has found something to appreciate in almost every possible musical genre — from the sugary pop entries that finish last in the semi-finals to the quirky avant-garde pieces that even the competition’s juries struggled to connect with. He usually prefers original languages and songs with depth over Swedish-produced English clones — though he doesn’t promise to stick to that rule.
He grew up on the kibbutz of Sara’le Sharon, who instilled in him a love for music and created his first connection to the contest back in 1993 — before most of the current editorial team was even born.
