Norway: Will Not Boycott Eurovision 2026 If Israel Is Allowed to Participate

Norway: Will Not Boycott Eurovision 2026 If Israel Is Allowed to Participate

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In recent days, three countries officially announced their withdrawal from the contest as long as Israel participates. Now, Norway declares it will not boycott Eurovision 2026 even if Israel takes part. In the past week, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands officially declared that they will boycott Eurovision as long as Israel continues to participate. In addition to these three, Iceland and Spain have hinted at the possibility of withdrawing from the contest under the same conditions. Surprisingly, today (Friday), Norway, often perceived as anti-Israel, announced that it will not boycott Eurovision 2026 even if Israel remains in the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As stated, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands all issued official statements pledging their withdrawal so long as Israel competes during the ongoing war in Gaza. The rising trend of countries threatening to leave the contest over Israel’s participation has alarmed many fans, and with good reason. Within just days, three national broadcasters loudly opposed Israel’s presence, conditioning their own participation on Israel’s...
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Drama: The List of Countries Withdrawing from Eurovision Grows Due to Israel

Drama: The List of Countries Withdrawing from Eurovision Grows Due to Israel

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS has officially declared that it will not participate in Eurovision as long as Israel takes part. At the peak of ongoing tensions surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS issued an unusual announcement today (Friday), stating: "We can no longer justify Israel’s participation in Eurovision due to the ongoing situation in Gaza". AVROTROS is the third national broadcaster, following those of Slovenia and Ireland, to officially announce that it will withdraw from the contest as long as Israel continues to participate. Alongside the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia, both Iceland and Spain have hinted at the possibility of withdrawing from the competition if Israel remains involved, though they have yet to issue official statements. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Worrying Trend As mentioned, the Netherlands is already the third country in recent days to officially declare that it will withdraw from the contest as long as Israel participates. Why is...
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Folding Under Pressure: Marko Bošnjak Apologizes for Reaction to Charlie Kirk’s Murder

Folding Under Pressure: Marko Bošnjak Apologizes for Reaction to Charlie Kirk’s Murder

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
  (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Croatia’s representative at Eurovision 2025 Marko Bošnjak apologizes after outrage over his controversial posts about pro-Israel activist Charlie Kirk’s murder, yet his apology seems far from sincere. The singer Marko Bošnjak, Croatia’s representative for Eurovision 2025, was forced to publicly apologize after making a highly controversial statement regarding the murder of American pro-Israeli activist Charlie Kirk. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Bošnjak published a social media post stating: “My recent remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death were insensitive, and I apologize. I realized that expressing political opinions only harms me and my loved ones without changing anyone’s mind. From now on, I would prefer not to comment on political or similar issues, and I ask that you respect my decision to focus solely on music”. These remarks followed harsh criticism sparked by an earlier post in which Bošnjak seemed to indirectly support Kirk’s murder. One of the statements that enraged many was: “No one should die because of political opinions, except Charlie Kirk”. Now attempting to calm...
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Ireland Joins the Rising Wave: “We Will Not Participate in Eurovision as Long as Israel Does”

Ireland Joins the Rising Wave: “We Will Not Participate in Eurovision as Long as Israel Does”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Irish national broadcaster RTÉ officially declares it will not participate in Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel remains in the contest, intensifying the growing political storm. The climax of the dispute regarding Israel's participation in Eurovision 2026 came in an unusual announcement by the Irish national broadcaster RTÉ: "Our position is that Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel continues to take part in the contest. The final decision about Ireland’s participation will be announced after the EBU’s ruling". RTÉ is the second national broadcaster, after Slovenia’s RTVSLO, to officially announce withdrawal from the contest as long as Israel remains a competitor. Alongside Ireland and Slovenia, the national broadcasters of Iceland and Spain have hinted they will also withdraw if Israel continues to participate, but no official announcement has yet been made. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ireland Against Israel in Eurovision Ireland has long been known for its deeply strained relationship with Israel in the...
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Iceland Reveals: Several Countries Demand Israeli Representation at Eurovision 2026

Iceland Reveals: Several Countries Demand Israeli Representation at Eurovision 2026

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Multiple countries are supporting Israel's participation in Eurovision 2026, according to the Icelandic national broadcaster’s chairman. Which nations are taking a stand and what does this mean for the upcoming contest? The board's chairman of the Icelandic national broadcaster, Stefán Jón Hafstein, recently declared that the broadcaster intends to use the new EBU withdrawal deadline and postpone a final decision about participation until December 2026, when it will be clear if Israel is allowed to compete at Eurovision. Despite Iceland's own reservations regarding Israeli participation, Jón Hafstein revealed that several countries have demanded Israel's representation at Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany Demands Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026 "There are countries demanding that Israel remain in Eurovision, including Germany," noted Jón Hafstein. The chairman's remarks highlighted the division between national broadcasters in the EBU, at a time when several broadcasters - including Ireland, Slovenia, Spain, and even Iceland - have opposed Israel's participation and threatened to withdraw...
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Slovenia Targets Israel with Full Force: “This is a Contest Between Countries, Not Broadcasters”

Slovenia Targets Israel with Full Force: “This is a Contest Between Countries, Not Broadcasters”

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Slovenia threatens Eurovision 2026 withdrawal over Israel’s participation, insisting Eurovision is by nations, not broadcasters. Dispute raises uncertainty ahead of Vienna contest The peak of the ongoing confrontation over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 came with an unusual statement from Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTVSLO: “Eurovision is not merely a gathering of public broadcasters but a contest between countries”. According to the broadcaster, Eurovision has political significance, and in Belgium and Germany, for example, representatives are selected to represent the nation, not just broadcasters.   הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם   ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Eurovision | יורומיקס‎‏ (@‏‎euromix.co.il‎‏)‎‏ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The broadcaster notes and continues to take a hard line against Israel’s participation: “In Belgium and Germany there isn’t a representative for every broadcaster separately, but a state representative who embodies the entire country in the contest [...] The decision on Israel’s participation is not just an internal broadcasting matter but touches the very essence of Eurovision’s...
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Disgusting: What Did Marko Bošnjak Have to Say About the Murder of the Pro-Israeli Activist?

Disgusting: What Did Marko Bošnjak Have to Say About the Murder of the Pro-Israeli Activist?

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
  (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Marko Bošnjak continues to spark outrage with disturbing remarks against Israel. What did he say less than a day after the brutal murder of the American pro-Israeli activist? who represented Croatia at Eurovision 2025 in Basel and advanced deep into the semi-finals, continues his stream of anger—this time unleashing shocking remarks in a series of Instagram stories directed at the American right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, less than a day after his brutal murder during a live broadcast. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "No one should Die – Except Charlie Kirk" In a particularly shocking series of Instagram stories, Bošnjak launched a disgraceful attack on the murdered activist. He first shared a post about the killing: "Charlie Kirk was shot and killed today while speaking in front of a university campus. No one should die because of their political opinions. No one". Bošnjak then cynically added his own disturbing comment: "Except Charlie Kirk." In another story, he wrote: "To everyone flooding me about ‘empathy’ over Charlie Kirk’s death:...
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Spain: Benidorm Fest to Be Held Even if the Country Withdraws From Eurovision 2026

Spain: Benidorm Fest to Be Held Even if the Country Withdraws From Eurovision 2026

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain confirms Benidorm Fest 2026 will proceed regardless of Eurovision participation. Final decision on joining expected in December amid debates over Israel’s role. The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE has confirmed that the Benidorm Festival will take place regardless of the final decision on whether Spain will participate in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The broadcaster is reconsidering its presence in Eurovision as long as Israel remains among the participating countries but stressed that the festival has evolved into an independent music brand with its own strong identity. This week, the network announced that it would wait until December to decide whether to remain in the competition, stating that “all options are on the table”. Spanish Foreign Minister Ernest Urtasun suggested that the broadcaster should withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is not disqualified. Urtasun joins his party colleagues in sharp criticism of Israel, including Yolanda Diaz, Minister of Labor and Deputy Prime Minister under Pedro Sanchez, who also...
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Unfazed: How Martin Green Responded to Countries Threatening to Withdraw Over Israel’s Participation

Unfazed: How Martin Green Responded to Countries Threatening to Withdraw Over Israel’s Participation

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Martin Green, Eurovision Director, refrained from addressing Slovenia, Iceland, and Spain’s boycott threats over Israel’s participation. What does this imply about the EBU’s stance? Martin Green, the Director of Eurovision, was asked about the threats from Slovenia, Iceland, and Spain to withdraw from the contest over Israel’s participation. He chose not to respond beyond a statement he had already issued last week. Are the winds shifting? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Over the past week, three countries - Slovenia, Iceland, and Spain - have threatened to withdraw from Eurovision following Israel’s inclusion. These countries, known for their criticism of Israel in the international arena and for imposing sanctions on its government and citizens, raised their voices against participation. Following Slovenia’s threats, Green was questioned by British media and issued a short, measured response: “We will respect every decision made by each national broadcaster, it is solely their decision whether to participate”. Yesterday, when Iceland and Spain...
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Iceland: Considering Withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 if Israel Participates

Iceland: Considering Withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 if Israel Participates

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Stefán Jón Hafstein, chairman of the Icelandic national broadcaster’s board said the broadcaster will wait until December 2026 to decide whether to withdraw from Eurovision, depending on Israel’s participation. Stefán Jón Hafstein, chairman of the board of the Icelandic national broadcaster, stated in a recent interview that the broadcaster has decided not to officially confirm its withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 until the new deadline set by the EBU. The EBU will now allow countries to withdraw without financial penalty until December, instead of October - possibly as a preparation for Israel’s participation, a decision expected around the same time. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "We have already made it clear that our participation in Eurovision is conditional" Despite opposition to Israel’s participation, the broadcaster will still publish the artists’ shortlist for Söngvakeppnin 2026: "In July, the EBU held its General Assembly, during which many voiced criticism - ours included - regarding Israel’s participation in the contest". Hafstein...
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