Dear friends,

Public pressure is working! In 24 hours, Portugal’s broadcaster meets Eurovision – they could also withdraw from the competition unless Israel is suspended while they commit war crimes. 

This is huge – after Spain and four other countries support the boycott, Israel’s image is finally cracking. Let’s make sure Eurovision hears us by reaching 500,000 voices:

BAN ISRAEL FROM EUROVISION

Here’s an email we sent earlier with some more information:

Something is shifting. Spain just said it will withdraw from Eurovision if Israel competes, and four broadcasters are refusing to air the contest. Israel’s carefully built global image may finally be cracking over the genocide in Gaza — add your name to urge more broadcasters to speak out and stand with Palestine.

BAN ISRAEL FROM EUROVISION

Dear friends,

This is unprecedented. Spain just said it will withdraw from Eurovision and Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands are threatening to boycott unless Israel is banned — others are poised to follow!
Why? Because a country that has killed over 60,000 people in Gaza — most of them women and children — should not be rewarded with a glittering stage to whitewash its image.

Eurovision banned Russia within days of invading Ukraine. Yet after nearly two years of bombardment, mass starvation, and the killing of more than 200 journalists, Israel’s state broadcaster is still being welcomed as if nothing happened.

That cannot stand.

Eurovision is meant to celebrate freedom, joy, and peace – not provide cover for a government committing genocide. If enough of us join the call now, we will push broadcasters like the BBC to join the boycott — so Eurovision has no choice but to ban Israel.

Sign now: Ban Israel from Eurovision. Stand with the boycott. No stage for genocide.

Eurovision isn’t just a song contest. It’s one of Israel’s most powerful tools to polish its global image. And Israel cares deeply about that image — their furious protests show it. Losing that stage would be a cultural earthquake, shattering its carefully built facade of normality.

But the tide is turning:

Although the final decision was due in December, it’s just been reported that Eurovision has unofficially reached out to Israel, asking them to withdraw or perform under a neutral flag.

This is the moment to act, just a few more national broadcasters speaking out could trigger action from Eurovision — and break Israel’s propaganda machine. Add your name now, the time has come to erase the whitewashing of genocide from our television screens.

Sign now: Ban Israel from Eurovision. Stand with the boycott. No stage for genocide.

When people and artists come together to speak out against injustice, they strike at a government’s soft power — its image, pride, and legitimacy — exposing the truth on one of the world’s biggest stages. Let’s make it impossible for Israel to hide behind Eurovision’s glitz and glamour.

With fierce determination,

Pascal, Andy, Julian, Marco and the whole team at Avaaz

More information:

• Spain first of Eurovision ‘big five’ to say it will boycott event if Israel participates (The Guardian)
• Ireland threatens to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates(BBC)
• Netherlands join boycott of Eurovision 2026 over Israeli participation(Euronews)
• RTÉ says Ireland will boycott Eurovision if Israel is allowed to compete(The Guardian)

Avaaz is a 70-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people shape global decision-making. (“Avaaz” means “voice” or “song” in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 22 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz’s biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook, X, or Instagram.