Petition: Boycott Israel at Eurovision 2026!

We, the undersigned, appeal to YLE to

1. calls on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest and
2. boycotts the contests and will not send a UMK winner to the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if the EBU allows Israel to participate.

As a festival of peace and connectivity, the Eurovision Song Contest is a showcase of European values for Europeans and the outside world. Since its inception, the Eurovision Song Contest has sought to bring people together through music and shared values. Allowing a country guilty of genocide and occupation to use the competition to pursue its political interests on a global stage is a clear violation of these values and of the rules of the competition. By allowing Israel to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, Finland and all participating countries are indirectly supporting Israel’s actions.

Yle led the way in calling for Russia to be excluded from the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. We expect Yle to take similar responsibility now. By demanding action from the EBU and boycotting the Games while Israel participates, Yle would be following its own strategy, which emphasises accountability in its own operations and demands responsible solutions from its partners.

The EBU is trying to avoid liability by leaving the decision to participate to individual broadcasters. YLE must force the EBU to assume its responsibility by joining the other broadcasters by opting out of the competition if Israel participates.

Links:

UN investigators: Israel commits genocide in Gaza (16.9.2025) https://yle.fi/a/74-20183158

Amnesty International Study: Israel commits genocide against Palestinians in Gaza (5.12.2024) https://www.amnesty.fi/amnesty-internationalin-tutkimus-israel-syyllistyy-palestiinalaisten-kansanmurhaan-gazassa/

A strong statement from Parliament: Israel out of Eurovision, Finland to join boycott (18.9.2025) https://www.uusisuomi.fi/uutiset/a/25f97b5e-b6c4-4339-9dac-23e70e8855af

Eurovision gives Israel ample space to brand the country (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/

Spanish Broadcasting Corporation: Spain will withdraw from Eurovision if Israel takes part (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/

The petition has been launched by Sumud – Finnish Palestine Network. The petition will be submitted to Yle by e-mail.