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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Sam Jones in Madrid and Lisa O’Carroll in London

Spain first of Eurovision ‘big five’ to say it will boycott event if Israel participates

Melody on stage holding a Spanish flag
Melody was Spain’s entry in this year’s Eurovision, which was held in Basel. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

Spain has become the latest country to confirm it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision song contest if Israel participates, with the head of its state broadcaster saying “the genocide currently taking place make[s] it impossible for us to look the other way”.

The majority decision by RTVE board members makes Spain the first of the “big five” Eurovision countries that contribute the most money to the event to take such action in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

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