Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has accused Eurovision organisers of using culture to “whitewash” the war in Gaza, sharply criticizing the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow Israel to participate in the contest.
“The decision I would criticise, which I think is wrong, is the decision of the EBU board to allow Israel to participate,” Urtasun said in an interview with Euronews flagship programme Europe Today. “This is what is wrong from the beginning.”
The minister rejected the idea that the music itself was causing division around this year’s contest, arguing instead that controversy stemmed from Israel’s inclusion amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
“It’s not music that is dividing people,” Urtasun said. “Music is a moment of celebration. Eurovision has always been a moment of celebration.”
But he said cultural events involving national representation could not ignore international conflicts and accusations surrounding Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“When you have a contest where countries are represented, and you have both Russia and Israel with the current investigation by the ICC, you cannot turn a blind eye to that,” he said.
“And when you allow Israel to participate, you’re actually using culture to whitewash what is going on there.”
“Not up to us” to tell other countries to participate
Spain has emerged as one of the strongest critics of Israel’s participation in international cultural events. Madrid has previously backed efforts to suspend Israel from competitions and exhibitions, drawing parallels with Russia’s exclusion following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Urtasun stressed that Spain’s criticism was directed at Eurovision organisers rather than countries choosing to remain in the competition.
“It’s not up to me to say whether a country is right or wrong in participating,” he said. “We have decided not to.”
He added that Spain’s decision has broad public support despite Eurovision’s popularity in the country.
“People in Spain are very proud that our broadcaster decided not to participate,” he said. “It’s with pain, because people love Eurovision in Spain. It’s massively followed every year.”
“But I think the vast majority of Spaniards reject war, reject genocide, and are outraged by what is going on in Gaza.”
EBU “applying double standards” over Israel
The comments come as pressure mounts on the EBU over Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision, with protests, broadcaster criticism and political backlash overshadowing this year’s contest. Public broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland have either threatened to boycott or withdrawn from Eurovision over Israel’s participation.
During Tuesday’s semi-final in Vienna, Israel’s contestant Noam Bettan was met with audible boos and pro-Palestinian chants from sections of the audience, while several protesters were removed from the venue.
The dispute has exposed deep divisions within Eurovision and raised broader questions about the contest’s claim of political neutrality. Critics have pointed to Russia’s exclusion following the country’s invasion in Ukraine, arguing that Israel should face similar treatment over the war in Gaza.
The EBU has defended Israel’s participation, insisting Eurovision is a competition between broadcasters rather than governments. But mounting criticism from artists, broadcasters and European politicians has turned the 2026 contest into one of the most politically charged editions in the event’s history.
Urtasun indicated Spain would be willing to return to Eurovision under different circumstances.
“We are a country that loves to take part in Eurovision,” he said. “But we will only take that decision if a cultural event like that one will not be used to whitewash something very dangerous.”