Head of Spain’s RTVE backs ongoing Eurovision boycott over Israel’s participation
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The head of Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE says he helps Spain persevering with to boycott this 12 months’s Eurovision contest over Israel’s participation.
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RTVE president José Pablo López stated it was “deeply painful” that Israel’s public broadcaster remained eligible to compete whereas the humanitarian disaster in Gaza continued.
López stated he would ask the board of RTVE to uphold Spain’s departure from Eurovision, with a last determination anticipated by mid-October.
López informed a Senate committee on Tuesday that it was “deeply painful” that Israel’s public broadcaster would proceed to take part in Eurovision “regardless of every thing, and given this example that’s nonetheless being skilled in Gaza.”
Spain’s withdrawal could be extra vital as considered one of Eurovision’s “Big Five”, the group of nations that make the most important monetary contributions to the European Broadcasting Union and due to this fact mechanically qualify for the ultimate.
The Spanish authorities has been a vocal supporter of Palestine and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been considered one of Israel’s most virulent critics, labelling its actions in Gaza a genocide.
Since the Hamas-led assault on Israel on 7 October 2023, Gaza’s well being ministry has reported greater than 73,000 deaths within the final three years of Israel’s retaliatory navy operation.
Additionally, since an October 2025 ceasefire, Israeli strikes have killed greater than 1,300 individuals within the devastated Palestinian territory, based on the Gaza well being ministry, whose figures are thought-about usually dependable by the United Nations.
Two nations have already introduced boycotts
Ireland and the Netherlands have already confirmed they are going to boycott Eurovision 2027, which is because of be held in Bulgaria.
The Irish broadcaster RTÉ stated in a press release: “RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation can’t be justified given the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian disaster there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians in danger.”
Eurovision director Martin Green stated he “regretted” RTÉ ‘s stance, however “absolutely respect their determination.”
It adopted the announcement from Dutch broadcaster AvroTros, who’re additionally boycotting subsequent 12 months’s present as it’s now not per “trustworthiness, independence and humanity.”
Both Ireland and the Netherlands have been among the many five countries who decided to opt out of the 2026 competition, together with Spain, Iceland and Slovenia.
Additional sources • AFP
