In recent days, Spain has followed the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia in announcing that it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to participate. This marks a bold and historic decision. Spain is one of the five principal sponsors of a contest that holds a special place in the hearts of Europeans, particularly the young.
Pulling out in protest at Israel’s actions in Gaza is a risk for the left-wing Spanish government of Pedro Sánchez. There is a deep political polarisation in the country, and Sánchez relies on fragile party alliances that could collapse at any moment. Still, despite the problems, Madrid has chosen to take a principled and moral stance. This accords with public sentiment.
Sustained nationwide protests in support of the Palestinians are ongoing; the most recent took place during the Vuelta a España cycling race, where demonstrators halted the final stage in protest at Israel’s participation in the Eurovision. Yet, the European continent is also experiencing a far-right resurgence, grounded in anger over unchecked immigration. Spain also has its own far-right groups, so the opinion in the country is not uniform.
Feeling emboldened
The intensification and increasing evidence of Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza put pressure on democratic governments to finally move beyond the rhetoric and start taking concrete action. Madrid has shown that it is willing to do so. Sánchez will be emboldened by the polls. In 2016, Spaniards pinned the blame for the conflict on both Israelis and Palestinians, but by December 2024, only 17% supported continued arms sales to Israel. Presumably, that figure has since fallen further.
Governments’ response to public sentiment is a natural reflex for any democratically-elected authority—especially when all our international legal frameworks seemingly cannot compel Israel to end the genocide. In such circumstances, states can only use the tools available to them, including boycotts. Hence, the threats to boycott Eurovision or even next year’s FIFA World Cup, despite the worlds of culture and sport being cherished arenas in which politics would normally not factor.
