Minister of Culture calls on Spain to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest next year.
The Minister of Culture for Spain, Ernest Uratsun, has called on his country to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel will participate. This echoes similar sentiments made by the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in May.
In an interview with breakfast television show La hora de la 1, Uratsun said that if Israel will participate in Eurovision 2026, Spain should not, and should withdraw from the contest: “I don’t think we can normalize Israel’s participation in international forums as if nothing were happening.”
Uratsun goes on to say that “Events like Eurovision and the Vuelta a Espana represent a certain representation of the country and that in the case of Eurovision, it’s not just an individual artist who participates, but rather on behalf of all citizens. It can’t be.” He went on to say that “This is a decision that corresponds to TVE… measures will have to be taken, such as withdrawing from participation if the country led by Benjamin Netanyahu continues to be able to field candidates.”
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has previously demanded Israel’s expulsion from the Eurovision Song Contest at an event in May, with representatives of the Culture Ministry, where he also mentioned Russia’s expulsion from Eurovision 2022, following their invasion of Ukraine. He said that: “The commitment to human rights must be constant… The same must apply to Israel because double standards in culture cannot be allowed.”
This statement from Ernest Uratsun comes just days after both Slovenia’s and Iceland’s broadcaster said that they would not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel will be participating.
In Slovenia, The Director of RTVSLO, Ksenija Horvat, stated that the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is currently uncertain, mainly due to financial issues, Israel’s participation and lack of communication from the EBU over concerns raised. In Iceland, it is a similar story, with The Board of Directors at RÚV having reservations about the country’s particpation in Eurovision 2026, due to Israel’s participation.
It has also be reported that Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS are still in discussions with the EBU regarding the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, with concerns over future Eurovision participation being brought up after the 2025 final in Switzerland.
Despite the Minister of Culture calling for Spain’s withdrawal from Eurovision 2026, RTVE are busy preparing for next years edition of Benidorm Fest. This years edition of the contest was won by Melody and her song “Esa Diva”. At Eurovision 2025 in Basel, she finished in 24th place.
What do you think of Ernest Uratsun’s calls for Spain’s withdrawal from Eurovision? Do you think we could see Spain withdrawing from the contest next year? Let us know what you think about this in the comments below!
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
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