Boycott Israel in Eurovision 2026!
Boycott Israel in Eurovision 2026! Petition to Yle
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We, the undersigned, appeal to Yle to:
1. Demand that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) exclude Israel from Eurovision.
2. Boycott the competition and refrain from sending the UMK winner to Eurovision 2026 if the EBU allows Israel to participate.
As a festival of peace and connection, Eurovision serves as a showcase of European values both for Europeans and for the outside world. From the beginning, Eurovision has sought to unite people through music and shared values. Allowing a state guilty of genocide and occupation to use the contest to advance its political interests on a global stage is a clear violation of those values, as well as the rules of the contest. By allowing Israel to participate in Eurovision, Finland and all participating countries implicitly endorse its actions.
Yle played an essential role in calling for Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision in 2022. We expect similar accountability from Yle now. By urging the EBU to take action, and boycotting the competition if Israel participates, Yle would align with its own strategy, which emphasises responsibility in its operations and expects the same from its partners.
The EBU is attempting to avoid responsibility by leaving the decision to participate up to individual broadcasters. Yle must compel the EBU to take responsibility by joining with other broadcasters in withdrawing if Israel participates.
Links:
YK:n tutkijat: Israel syyllistyy kansanmurhaan Gazassa (16.9.2025) https://yle.fi/a/74-20183158
Amnesty Internationalin Tutkimus: Israel syyllistyy palestiinalaisten kansanmurhaan Gazassa (5.12.2024) https://www.amnesty.fi/amnesty-internationalin-tutkimus-israel-syyllistyy-palestiinalaisten-kansanmurhaan-gazassa/
Painava ulostulo eduskunnasta: Israel ulos Euroviisuista, Suomen liityttävä boikottiin (18.9.2025) https://www.uusisuomi.fi/uutiset/a/25f97b5e-b6c4-4339-9dac-23e70e8855af
Euroviisut antavat Israelille laajan tilan maabrändäykselle (23.5.2018) https://ulkopolitist.fi/2018/05/23/euroviisut-antavat-israelille-laajan-tilan-maabrandaykselle/
RTÉ Statement: 2026 Eurovision Song Contest (11.9.2025) https://about.rte.ie/2025/09/11/rte-statement-2026-eurovision-song-contest/
Espanjan yleisradio: Espanja vetäytyy Euroviisuista, jos Israel osallistuu laulukilpailun (16.9.2025) https://yle.fi/a/74-20183244
AVROTROS Links Eurovision 2026 Participation to Core Values (12.9.2025) https://www.avrotros.nl/article/avrotros-trekt-grens-bij-songfestival-2026~1176/
Sumud - Suomen Palestiina-verkosto Contact the author of the petition