Five European nations have withdrawn from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna over Israel’s participation, marking the lowest turnout since 2003. Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland cited the ongoing Gaza conflict as their reason for pulling out.

The European Broadcasting Union rejected calls to vote on Israel’s exclusion, instead keeping the country in the competition while introducing new safeguards against government influence on voting. The move comes after last year’s contest, when Israel’s entry finished second despite finishing 15th with judges—a result critics attributed to heavy state-backed promotion campaigns.

To address these concerns, Eurovision has tightened rules on disproportionate promotion and sparked internal debate about shifting away from public voting toward jury scores. The changes reflect growing tensions over how the competition navigates geopolitical disputes.

The Vienna contest will operate under heightened security, with organizers struggling to balance artistic celebration against the reality that Eurovision has become a flashpoint for global political conflict.