The Eurovision Song Contest final held in Vienna, Austria, on the evening of May 16 faced intense backlash. Thousands gathered outside the venue to protest Israel's participation. Five countries — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia — boycotted the event by not sending contestants or not broadcasting the show.
According to organizers, about 2,000 protesters carried banners accusing the contest of having "double standards" by allowing Israel to participate despite its military campaign in Gaza, while banning Russia in 2022 after its invasion of Ukraine. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, was criticized as "cowardly" for not excluding Israel.
Activists, international artists, and human rights organizations have called for a boycott. In April, over 1,000 artists, including Macklemore and Paloma Faith, signed an open letter urging viewers not to watch Eurovision due to Israel's participation. On May 15, Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard condemned the EBU, calling its decision to allow Israel to compete "a cowardly act and evidence of blatant double standards."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israel, said the boycott decision puts Spain "on the right side of history." Last year, Eurovision attracted 166 million television viewers. This year, with five countries absent, the contest saw the largest boycott in its 70-year history.
The contest's outcome is determined by votes from professional juries and audience voting. Last year, Austria won and Israel finished second. However, the Israeli government was later accused of unfairly interfering in voting results, leading organizers to amend the rules.
