Slovenia refuses to air Eurovision song contest after pulling out of event

Slovenia’s national broadcaster, RTV Slovenia, has said it will not air this year’s Eurovision Song Contest following the country’s decision to withdraw over Israel‘s continued participation.

The main competition, featuring 35 nations, is scheduled to take place in Vienna from 12-16 May.

Slovenia joins a growing list of countries, including Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain, in boycotting the event.

Ksenija Horvat, RTV Slovenia director, confirmed the move to The Associated Press, stating: “We will not be broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest.”

She added, “We will be airing the film series ‘Voices of Palestine,’ featuring Palestinian documentaries and feature films.”

Organisers’ December decision to allow Israel to compete prompted the walkout. Slovenia has been a vocal critic of Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

While Eurovision aims to prioritise pop music over politics, it has frequently found itself entangled in global events, notably expelling Russia in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The current Israel-Hamas war has similarly roiled the contest, leading to protests and stricter rules against political displays at venues.

Slovenia’s announcement comes days after Paul Weller, Kneecap, Massive Attack and Paloma Faith and 1,000-plus artists signed an open letter calling for fans to boycott the event.

“As musicians and cultural workers, many living within the reaches of the [EBU], we reject Eurovision being used to whitewash and normalise Israel’s genocide, siege and brutal military occupation against Palestinians,” the letter, organised by No Music for Genocide and the BDS movement, said in part.

“We stand in solidarity with Palestinian calls for public broadcasters, performers, screening party organisers, crew, and fans to boycott Eurovision until the EBU bans complicit Israeli broadcaster KAN.”