Spain, one of the Eurovision 'Big Five', has said it will pull out of next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna if Israel remains in the line-up while the conflict in Gaza continues.
The move was agreed on Tuesday by the board of public broadcaster RTVE after a proposal from its president, José Pablo López. Ten board members backed the plan, four opposed it, and one abstained.
Spain is the first of the 'Big Five' countries - alongside the UK, France, Italy, and Germany - to take this stance. The Big Five are the contest's biggest financial contributors, and their entries automatically qualify for the Eurovision Grand Final each year.
Ireland and the Netherlands have already announced they will not take part if Israel competes, while Slovenia and Iceland have also signalled they will step back.
RTVE stressed the decision will not affect Benidorm Fest, its national song contest, which will mark its fifth edition next year.
Spain was represented in Malmö earlier this year by Melody with her song Esa Diva.
The Spanish decision comes a day after Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun said Spain should boycott the event if Israel takes part due to its devastating military offensive in Gaza.
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst confirmed Ireland's withdrawal plans last week. Its 2025 entry, Laika Party by Emmy, was selected through RTÉ's Eurosong competition.
On Monday, BBC Director General Tim Davie said the Eurovision Song Contest has "never been about politics" as the corporation faces calls to withdraw from the competition if Israel participates.
Speaking to the Commons Public Accounts Committee, Mr Davie, a board member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said: "From a BBC point of view, we're very aware of the concerns.
"Eurovision never has been about politics and should be a celebration of music and culture that brings people together.
"That is really important, that we try and preserve throughout, but at this stage, I'm supporting the European Broadcasting Union's work, and they need to get on with it.
"This is a contest which (sic) is about the broadcasters from that nation submitting a song, ensuring that process works properly and is truly apolitical.
"There's quite a lot of detail to get through for the European Broadcasting Union.
"Then, as an independent BBC, we will look at that, and then we can go from there."
The EBU will decide in December whether Israel's broadcaster KAN can remain in the contest. As one of Eurovision's biggest contributors and audiences, Spain's stance adds further pressure before the EBU general assembly.
If Israel is not excluded, RTVE says it will follow through and sit out the contest for the first time since it joined in 1961.
Eurovision is the world's largest live televised music event. This year's edition in Basel drew in 166 million viewers across 37 countries.
Additional Reporting: Press Association, AFP
