Public broadcasters from at least four countries - including Spain and the Netherlands - on Thursday pulled out of next year's Eurovision Song Contest after organizers decided to allow Israel to compete. The developments expose how political discord has taken center stage over a usually joyful celebration of harmony through music. The pullouts, which were joined by Ireland and Slovenia, came after a general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union - a group of public broadcasters from 56 countries that runs the event - met to discuss concerns about Israel's participation, which some countries oppose over its conduct of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Earlier, EBU members voted to adopt tougher voting rules in response to allegations that Israel manipulated the vote in favor of their contestants, but took no action to exclude any broadcaster from the competition.
The feel-good pop music gala that draws more than 100 million viewers every year has been roiled by the Israel-Hamas conflict for the past two years.A report on the website of Icelandic broadcaster RUV, meanwhile, said it would meet next Wednesday to discuss whether Iceland would take part, after its board last week recommended that Israel be barred from the contest in Vienna next May. Story continues below advertisement The broadcasting union, in a statement emailed to The Associated Press, said it was aware that four broadcasters - RTVE in Spain, AVROTROS in the Netherlands, RTE in Ireland, and Slovenia's RTVSLO - had publicly said they would not take part."We await formal confirmation of their decision," the union said. A final list of participating countries will be announced by Christmas. 3:47 Eurovision 2024 faces backlash amid allegations against Dutch contestant, Israel's involvement Controversy over Israel Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on X that he was "pleased" Israel will again take part, and hoped "the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations, and cross-border cultural understanding." Story continues below advertisement "Thank you to all our friends who stood up for Israel's right to continue to contribute and compete at Eurovision," he added. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Austria, which is set to host the competition after Viennese singer JJ won this year with "Wasted Love," supports Israel's participation. Germany, too, was said to back Israel.
However, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said that the participation of Israel "is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster." More on World More videos Family of Colombian man killed in U.S. boat strike alleges murder, files complaint U.S. admiral behind boat strikes says no 'kill them all' order from Hegseth U.S. Supreme Court allows Texas to use new, Trump-backed electoral map New York Times sues Pentagon, Pete Hegseth over press access policy Canada commits $235M for Ukraine amid inconclusive peace talks 69-year-old Canadian bikes around the world, raises funds for cancer research Rubio says 'progress' made on Ukraine security guarantees, but no breakthrough in Moscow England, Wales to scrap jury trials for crimes with sentences of less than three years Spain's state broadcaster RTVE echoed similar concerns, expression "serious doubts about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN" according to Secretary General Alfonso Morales.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ said Ireland's participation "remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza" and the humanitarian crisis there.
Several of the broadcasters - which run their country's news programs and wanted Israel kept out - cited killings of journalists in the conflict in Gaza and Israel's continued policy of denying international journalists access to the territory.
Israeli broadcaster KAN's chief executive Golan Yochpaz questioned whether EBU members are "willing to be part of a step that harms freedom of creation and freedom of expression."KAN officials said the Israeli broadcaster was not involved in any prohibited campaign intended to influence the results of the latest song contest in Basel, Switzerland last May - when Israel's Yuval Raphael placed second. Story continues below advertisement The EBU said the new rules would strengthen "transparency and trust" and allow all countries, including Israel, to participate. 2:28 Eurovision plan in Canada's federal budget but would it be a hit here? Trending Now Ford says he knew layoffs were coming before loaning Algoma Steel $100M Canada's federal income tax brackets are changing in 2026 Divided over politics The contest, whose 70th edition is scheduled for Vienna in May, pits acts from dozens of nations against one another for the co