LBCI

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision; Spain, Ireland and others quit in protest

World News

05-12-2025 | 07:44

Share

Share

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision; Spain, Ireland and others quit in protest

Israel was cleared on Thursday to enter the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest by the organizer, prompting Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia to withdraw over the Gaza war and plunging the competition into one of the biggest rows in its history.

The broadcasters who had threatened to boycott the event cited the death count in Gaza and accused Israel of flouting rules meant to guard the contest's neutrality. Israel accuses its critics of mounting a global smear campaign against it.

After a meeting in Geneva, the European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, decided not to call a vote on Israel's participation, saying it had instead passed new rules aimed at discouraging governments from influencing the contest.

Right after that announcement by the contest organizer, the Dutch, Spanish, Irish and Slovenian broadcasters said they would withdraw, meaning singers from their countries would not compete in the contest that draws millions of viewers worldwide.

Reuters

World News

Middle East News

Israel

Eurovision

Spain

Ireland

Quit

Protest

Next

Afghan authorities say four civilians killed in Pakistan border clash

France's Macron calls for increasing pressure on Russia

Previous

Recommended For You

France warns of 'provocation' if Russian drone buzzed aircraft carrier

10:49

France warns of 'provocation' if Russian drone buzzed aircraft carrier

UK withdraws staff from Iran temporarily

10:21

UK withdraws staff from Iran temporarily

US seeks forfeiture of oil tanker and 1.8 million barrels of crude oil

09:59

US seeks forfeiture of oil tanker and 1.8 million barrels of crude oil

UN nuclear watchdog calls on Iran to cooperate 'constructively'

09:10

UN nuclear watchdog calls on Iran to cooperate 'constructively'

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Beirut Wings scandal: Unlicensed instructors and falsified flight records raise safety concerns

News Bulletin Reports

2026-01-15

Beirut Wings scandal: Unlicensed instructors and falsified flight records raise safety concerns

China urges citizens in Iran to evacuate, Xinhua reports

Middle East News

06:41

China urges citizens in Iran to evacuate, Xinhua reports

UK withdraws staff from Iran temporarily

10:21

UK withdraws staff from Iran temporarily

Hezbollah official says will not intervene in event of 'limited' US strikes on Iran

2026-02-25

Hezbollah official says will not intervene in event of 'limited' US strikes on Iran

Videos

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

2026-02-16

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

2026-02-14

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

2026-02-01

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

Berri halts live broadcast amid parliament salary dispute

2026-01-29

Berri halts live broadcast amid parliament salary dispute

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

2026-01-10

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon eyes role in IMEC: Can Beirut and Tripoli ports become key hubs for the new trade route?

1

Lebanon eyes role in IMEC: Can Beirut and Tripoli ports become key hubs for the new trade route?

Israel army says struck eight Hezbollah compounds in east Lebanon

2

Israel army says struck eight Hezbollah compounds in east Lebanon

Gasoline tax approved, but questions remain over funding public wage increases

3

Gasoline tax approved, but questions remain over funding public wage increases

China urges citizens in Iran to evacuate, Xinhua reports

4

China urges citizens in Iran to evacuate, Xinhua reports

White House envoys disappointed after morning talks with Iranians, Axios reports

5

White House envoys disappointed after morning talks with Iranians, Axios reports

PM Salam marks one year in office: Lebanese government laid foundation for rebuilding the state

6

PM Salam marks one year in office: Lebanese government laid foundation for rebuilding the state

Iran, US talks ended after 'significant progress': Oman FM

7

Iran, US talks ended after 'significant progress': Oman FM

Iran FM says 'good progress' in talks with US

8

Iran FM says 'good progress' in talks with US

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More