Spain has become the fifth country to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel takes part.

This was reported by Reuters, Ukrinform reports.

This proposal, submitted by RTVE president José Pablo López, received 10 votes in favor, 4 against and 1 abstention in the 15-member board, the broadcaster said in a statement.

Spain became the fifth country to make such a statement, after the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland and Ireland, and the first of the Big Five - a group that also includes the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France. These countries automatically qualify for the final round of the competition.

Eurovision, which insists on its political neutrality, has faced controversy this year over the war in Gaza. Several countries have called on the European Broadcasting Union, the alliance of public service broadcasters that organizes and produces the annual event, to exclude Israel from the 2025 contest. Israeli entrant Yuval Raphael ultimately came in second place.

Austrian singer JJ, who won this year, also called for Israel to be excluded from 2026.

As Ukrinform reported, the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna at the Stadthalle indoor arena.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the start of a ground operation in Gaza City to destroy Hamas.

The UN's independent international commission of inquiry into the occupied Palestinian territory has acknowledged that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.