00:00Since 1956, European countries have come together for an annual international music competition called Eurovision, designed to unite the continent through song.
00:14You might recognize this group ABBA, who took the crown in 1974.
00:24Or Celine Dion, who won on behalf of Switzerland in 1988.
00:30But headed into the 2026 contest next May, an event that usually draws more than 100 million viewers worldwide, five countries have threatened to boycott if Israel is allowed to compete.
00:45Spain is the latest to join the growing list.
00:48The board of Spain's public broadcaster made its announcement Tuesday on the same day a U.N. commission accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel vehemently denies.
01:01The Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia have already expressed similar intentions to withdraw, and now Spain becomes the fifth.
01:10It also marks a first.
01:18Spain is the only member of the Big Five to threaten a walkout, a group that provides the bulk of funding for Eurovision and automatically qualifies for the finals.
01:28The winner of this year's contest, Austria's J.J. has also called for Israel to be removed.
01:34As the debate grows, the deadline for the European Broadcasting Union to confirm participation has been extended to December.
Be the first to comment