4 h. ago Spain first of Eurovision ‘big five’ to say it will boycott event if Israel participates

State broadcaster says it will withdraw from next year’s contest in Vienna unless Israel is excluded over Gaza warSpain has become the latest country to confirm it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision song contest if Israel participates, with the head of its state broadcaster saying “the genocide currently taking place make[s] it impossible for us to look the other way”.The majority decision by RTVE board members makes Spain the first of the “big five” Eurovision countries that contribute the most money to the event to take such action in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Irish deputy premier backs mooted Eurovision boycott over Israel participation

Ireland is among countries which have said they will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 if Israel participates.

Politics

9 h. ago Spain says it will withdraw from 2026 Eurovision song contest if Israel takes part — Europe live

Spain is the first of the ‘Big Five’ countries to threaten withdrawal from the competition following vote at state broadcaster RTVEEU commissioners will on Wednesday agree to impose new sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza, a spokesperson for the commission said on Tuesday.“Tomorrow, commissioners will be adopting a package of measures on Israel,” spokesperson Paula Pinho said, as reported by Reuters.“Specifically, a proposal to suspend certain trade provisions in the agreements between the EU and Israel.” Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago Spain to quit Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates

‘Big Five’ country follows in the footsteps of Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland and Ireland

Politics

10 h. ago Spain votes to withdraw from 2026 Eurovision song contest if Israel takes part — Europe live

Spain is the first of the ‘Big Five’ countries to threaten withdrawal from the competition following vote at state broadcaster RTVEEU commissioners will on Wednesday agree to impose new sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza, a spokesperson for the commission said on Tuesday.“Tomorrow, commissioners will be adopting a package of measures on Israel,” spokesperson Paula Pinho said, as reported by Reuters.“Specifically, a proposal to suspend certain trade provisions in the agreements between the EU and Israel.” Continue reading...

Politics

25 h. ago BBC boss Tim Davie says Eurovision Song Contest has ‘never been about politics’

It comes as a string of broadcasters, including the Dutch Avrotros and Irish channel RTE, have called for a boycott over Israel’s participation.

Politics

33 h. ago Spain’s PM calls for Israel to be banned from sports events after Gaza protests force end to Vuelta race

Speaking after Gaza protesters forced early end to cycle race, Pedro Sánchez says Israel should not be allowed to use sports to ‘whitewash’ its ‘barbarism’Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has called for Israel to be barred from international sports competitions for as long as its “barbarism” in Gaza continues, saying the country should not be allowed to use high-profile events to “whitewash” its offensive.Speaking a day after pro-Palestinian demonstrators forced a premature end to the Vuelta a España cycle race amid chaotic scenes and clashes with police, Sánchez said he had “a deep admiration” for all those who had protested peacefully against the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team. Continue reading...

Events

35 h. ago Political row erupts in Spain after Vuelta cycle race abandoned amid Gaza protests

PM Pedro Sánchez accused of ‘embarrassing’ Spain after praising protesters who forced final stage to be abandonedThe premature and chaotic end of the Vuelta a España cycle race has triggered a bitter political row in Spain, with opposition politicians accusing the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, of causing the country “international embarrassment” by encouraging pro-Palestinian demonstrators to disrupt the event.The race’s final stage was abandoned after groups protesting against the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team swamped the finish line area and presentation podium in central Madrid on Sunday night. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Eurovision: Angus Robertson urges UK and BBC to boycott Eurovision Song Contest over Israel participation

The event is due to be held in Austria next year.

Politics

4 d. ago Netherlands threatens Eurovision boycott if Israel also participates

The Netherlands has joined several countries urging the Eurovision Song Contest to exclude Israel due to its actions in Gaza

Politics

4 d. ago Dutch broadcaster joins RTE in proposed boycott of Eurovision over Israel

The Irish station said multiple members of the European Broadcasting Union have raised concerns about the participation of Israel.

Politics

5 d. ago Ireland joins growing list of countries threatening Eurovision boycott if Israel stay in

Ireland will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 if Israel participates, broadcaster RTE has announced, as a number of other countries have threatened the same

Politics

5 d. ago RTÉ says Ireland will boycott Eurovision if Israel is allowed to compete

National broadcaster joins Slovenia in making participation next year conditional amid war in GazaIreland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, has decided not to take part in next year’s Eurovision song contest if Israel is a participant.RTÉ is the second of 37 broadcasters who took part in the event this year to have made participation next year conditional. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Ireland pulls out of the 2026 Eurovision Song contest over 'the participation of Israel'

Ireland has announced it will pull out of the 2026 Eurovision song contest over the 'participation of Israel'.

Politics

2 w. ago Enhanced Games (no drug testing) file $800 million lawsuit against critics

The startup Olympic-style sports festival promising no drug testing has filed an $800 million antitrust lawsuit against its main critics for what it claims is an illegal campaign to make athletes boycott its own event

Economics