Vienna, April 22, 2026
More than 1,100 musicians worldwide are demanding a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, citing Israel's participation in the event as the reason for their protest.
Stars and Campaigns Rally Against Participation
The boycott movement, spearheaded by the campaign "No Music For Genocide," has garnered support from high-profile artists, including Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel, and the band Massive Attack. The campaign is explicitly calling for the exclusion of Israeli broadcaster KAN from the contest, accusing Israel of using the event to legitimize its military actions in Gaza.
The protest is framed under the slogan: "No stage for the legitimation of genocide - Freedom for Palestine." Organizers argue that allowing Israel to participate in Eurovision, a cultural event promoting unity, contradicts the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli military operation launched on October 7, 2023, following heightened tensions in the region, has intensified debates over the country's inclusion in international cultural forums.
Countries Join Boycott as Eurovision Participation Drops
Several nations have already withdrawn from the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in solidarity with the boycott. The Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland have confirmed they will not participate due to Israel's involvement. This has reduced the total number of participating countries to 35, marking one of the lowest turnouts in recent years.