The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE convened today at the joint committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate to discuss participation in Eurovision 2026. Spain seems firm in its stance and is expected to withdraw if Israel participates.
The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE held today (Thursday) a joint committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate on the issue of control over the national broadcaster. During the meeting, representatives answered questions regarding public broadcasting in Spain, including one that has captivated Eurovision fans more than any other — whether Spain will participate in Eurovision 2026 and display a dramatic retreat, or continue with the hardline stance it has taken against Israel and its allies in the contest. It now appears Spain remains entrenched in its position and aims to push for Israel’s disqualification at the upcoming meeting of the EBU, scheduled for next week.
The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE met today (Thursday) at 16:00 CET, for the joint committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate overseeing the broadcaster’s management. RTVE president Jose Pablo Lopez confirmed today the EBU veto against Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest, which was announced last September before the ceasefire in Gaza began.
Spain’s decision to withdraw from the contest if Israel participates remains unchanged. The country postponed this decision to the upcoming EBU conference, where it plans to express opposition to Israel’s participation, as it has done previously. Lopez’s reasoning relies mainly on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Lopez also added:
“We maintain the same position that was, a few months ago, intolerable for two main reasons. Firstly, due to the genocide committed in Gaza. I continue to believe, as president of the corporation, that the Eurovision Song Contest is a competition — but human rights are not a competition. This, in my opinion, is something we must take into account. But I also want to put on the table another issue: Israel’s systematic violation of the contest’s own rules”.
The Spanish national broadcaster reflects shifts in domestic political policy. As a result, its current coverage projects a clear bias toward the Palestinian side. Senior officials have openly expressed support for the Palestinians and complete opposition to Israel’s participation in international forums such as Eurovision. For now, Spain seems likely to maintain this position at next week’s EBU conference. A final decision on Spain’s participation remains uncertain, although officials have already stated that if the conference approves Israel’s involvement, Spain is expected to withdraw from the competition.
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 2025: This was Spain’s 65th 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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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
