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← SBS News In Depth
Can Eurovision survive? Four countries withdraw from contest over Israel's eligibility artwork

Can Eurovision survive? Four countries withdraw from contest over Israel's eligibility

SBS News In Depth
07:29
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Show notes

Europe’s largest cultural event is once again confronting the tension between entertainment and geopolitics. After the European Broadcasting Union formally confirmed Israel’s eligibility for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, four countries - Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia - immediately withdrew. Their walkout has triggered one of the most serious disputes in the contest’s modern history, raising questions about neutrality, artistic expression and how far Eurovision can distance itself from real-world conflicts.

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Can Eurovision survive? Four countries withdraw from contest over Israel's eligibility — SBS News In Depth | Josplay Music