Eurovision 2026: German Leader Supports Boycott If Israel Is Not Allowed To Compete

<div><img src="https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/68e4e5de1400005f135c70b8.jpeg?cache=0eH12aXK5l&ops=scalefit_630_noupscale" alt="Yuval Raphael, who represented Israel at Eurovision in 2025" data-caption="Yuval Raphael, who represented Israel at Eurovision in 2025" data-credit-link-back="" data-credit="via Associated Press" />Yuval Raphael, who represented Israel at Eurovision in 2025</div><div class="content-list-component text"><p><span style="font-weight:400">The chancellor of Germany has said he would support the country boycotting next year’s <a href="news/eurovision/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eurovision Song Contest</a> if <a href="news/israel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Israel</a> is banned from competing.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400">After <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eurovision-2025-controversy-israel-explained_uk_6825ef4fe4b0a8ff0de6ba16">controversy has blighted Eurovision for the last few years</a> due to Israel’s continued participation despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eurovision-2026-israel-controversy-vote_uk_68d63610e4b085d511c5d5f8">a vote is due to take place among competing national broadcasters in December</a>, to determine whether Israel is permitted to return.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400"><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eurovision-2026-which-countries-support-israel-boycott-vote_uk_68dfd3c2e4b0dbcd325f1eac">Several countries have now said</a> they will pull out of Eurovision unless Israel is banned, but during a new interview, chancellor Friedrich Merz made it clear he suppo