Slovenia will replace the broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest with a series of films about Palestine, as part of a broader boycott over Israel’s participation in this year’s contest.
Public broadcaster RTV Slovenia confirmed it will not only skip participation but also halt transmission of the event entirely. Instead, it will air “Voices of Palestine,” a curated series featuring Palestinian documentaries and films.
The boycott is gaining momentum across Europe. Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE has also decided not to air the contest for the first time since 1961, while Ireland’s RTÉ had already withdrawn and confirmed it will not broadcast the event.
Meanwhile, Netherlands and Iceland have pulled out of participation but will still air the competition domestically.
This year’s Eurovision, marking its 70th anniversary, is scheduled to take place in Vienna from May 12 to 16, with 35 countries set to compete. The controversy stems from the decision by the European Broadcasting Union to allow Israel to participate despite widespread criticism over the war in Gaza.
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob has been among the outspoken critics of the conflict, with his government previously banning imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Although Eurovision promotes unity under the slogan “United by Music,” the event continues to face political tensions, echoing past controversies such as Russia’s exclusion following its invasion of Ukraine.
