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More than 1,000 musicians and cultural workers have signed an open letter urging a boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, citing Israel’s continued participation in the competition. The appeal was issued through the “No Music for Genocide” campaign.
In the letter, signatories call on artists, broadcasters, production teams, and audiences to withdraw their involvement with Eurovision unless the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) excludes Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN.
The statement argues that Israel’s participation contributes to the normalization of its military actions in Gaza and highlights what the signatories describe as a discrepancy in the EBU’s policies compared to its decision to exclude Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The statement also highlights growing industry resistance, praising broadcasters and artists who have reportedly withdrawn from national selections or declined participation in protest, including those in Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia and the Netherlands.
Prominent figures among the signatories include Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Kneecap, IDLES, Sigur Ros, and Macklemore, alongside former Eurovision winners Emmelie de Forest and Charlie McGettigan.
The Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in Austria between May 12 and 16.
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