Public broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have stated they will not broadcast the 70th-anniversary Eurovision Song Contest, citing opposition to Israel's participation.

These three countries, along with the Netherlands and Iceland, announced their withdrawal from this year’s event in Vienna on Monday, marking the largest boycott in the contest’s 70-year history.

Vienna police said they anticipate disruptive protests and possible attempts to obstruct the event, particularly on the final day. Authorities reported that a demonstration of around 3,000 people supporting Palestine is scheduled for May 16.

Earlier this year, broadcasters urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the competition’s organizer, to ban Israel due to allegations of vote manipulation and involvement in the Gaza conflict. However, the EBU confirmed that Israel meets all eligibility requirements and will participate in this year’s contest.

In last year’s competition, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael finished second and won the audience vote, sparking concerns among several nations about external interference in the voting process. Following the backlash, Eurovision revised its rules, reducing the maximum number of votes a single fan can cast from 20 to 10, and banning "disproportionate" promotional campaigns.

The Israeli government funded an organized online campaign promoting votes for its entrant through advertisements in multiple languages, allowing up to 20 votes per viewer, according to The New York Times. The report noted that securing second place could be achieved with just a few thousand viewers each casting 20 votes.

In 2024, Israel spent over $800,000 on advertising related to the Eurovision Song Contest, with most funds coming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as cited by data from Israel’s government advertising agency in The New York Times.

The Eurovision Song Contest, organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has long faced accusations of political bias, with critics arguing that voting patterns often reflect political alliances, cultural ties, or historical relationships rather than musical merit.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1864941039332361/

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