RTV Slovenija, the Slovenian national broadcaster, has announced it will not broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Instead, the channel plans to air a documentary series focusing on Palestine, marking a significant step in the cultural boycott against Israel.
Slovenia opts out of Eurovision 2026 broadcast
In a move that highlights growing political tensions, RTV Slovenija has confirmed its decision not to televise the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. This announcement comes as the broadcaster intends to use the scheduled slot to air a film series titled ‘Voices of Palestine’, featuring Palestinian documentaries and feature films.
This decision follows Slovenia’s earlier withdrawal from participating in Eurovision 2026 due to Israel’s inclusion in the contest. RTV Slovenija has been a vocal critic of Israel’s conduct in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, stating that the contest’s values of peace, equality, and respect are incompatible with the situation. The broadcaster had previously called for a secret vote on Israel’s participation at the EBU General Assembly, which was not accepted.
The ‘Voices of Palestine’ programme is scheduled to run from May 10 to May 20, covering the same dates as the Eurovision semi-finals and the Grand Final, which are set to take place in Vienna, Austria, from May 12-16, 2026.
