Portugal's participation in the upcoming song contest is in doubt, as most of the artists at the Festival da Canção state that they will not represent their country if Israel's participation continues, citing ethical and human rights reasons.
The tension surrounding this year's Eurovision is escalating, as Portugal may be the next country to withdraw from the institution due to disagreements over Israel's participation. Specifically, 11 of the 16 competitors in the national festival Song Festival, through which the country's representative is selected, announced that they will refuse to travel to Vienna if they win, expressing their protest against the EBU.
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In their joint statement, the artists stressed that "with words and songs, we act within the framework given to us. We do not accept complicity in the violation of human rights." At the same time, they expressed their disappointment that, while Russia was excluded in 2022 for its invasion of Ukraine, the same stance was not taken towards Israel, which according to an independent UN investigation is accused of genocide in Gaza.
The signatories include well-known names in the Portuguese scene, such as Cristina Branco, Rita Dias, DjoDje, Beatriz Bronze (Evaya) and Francisco Fontes, while their collective stance has caused a wave of discussion in the Portuguese media.
The state-owned network RTP, which organizes the Festival da Canção, responded that the festival will take place as usual and that Portugal will participate in the 2026 event as usual. In a statement, the network stressed: "Regardless of the decisions of the participants, RTP reaffirms its commitment to representing our country at Eurovision."
However, the issue has already taken on European dimensions. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is at the center of intense criticism, as several countries — including Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and most recently Iceland — have officially announced their withdrawal. These countries argue that Israel's participation is inconsistent with the contest's principles of unity and cultural peace.
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Iceland, in its official statement, said that Israel's presence "has created division among EBU members and the public," adding that such participation "could not be a source of joy or peace."
It is worth noting that more than 70 former contestants have signed an open letter calling for the exclusion of Israel and its state broadcaster KAN. Among them are artists who have distinguished themselves in recent years in the contest, while even this year's winner JJ has publicly expressed his disagreement with the country's participation.
To address the backlash, the EBU announced new regulations:
- It reinstates national juries in the semi-finals, increasing their members from five to seven.
- It limits the weight of public votes.
- It prohibits participants and broadcasters from supporting or participating in campaigns that could influence the results.
Despite the changes, the decision on Israel's participation was not put to a vote at the EBU general assembly, which caused strong dissatisfaction.
The case of Portugal stands out, as the country has a long tradition in organizing and often treats Eurovision not simply as a competition, but as a space for cultural expression and identity. The Song Festival has been a point of reference in the musical culture for decades, promoting artists who have defined contemporary Portuguese song.
If the protesting artists persist, Portugal could become the sixth country to withdraw from this year's Eurovision, which would significantly affect the organization of the 70th anniversary of the institution in Vienna.
This development brings back to the fore the big question: can a competition that was born with the aim of peace and cultural cooperation truly remain "neutral" in the face of international conflicts?
Read also: Eurovision 2026: Slovenia withdraws due to Israel
The artists who signed the protest statement seem to be giving their own response. As they noted, “singing is a form of expression, and this time, we choose to use it to defend those who have no voice.”
Their stance proves that for them, Eurovision is not just a television event, but a platform of responsibility, culture, and conscience — something that, this year more than ever, seems to be deeply tested.
