CULTURE Secretary Angus Robertson has urged the BBC to join a boycott of Eurovision over its inclusion of Israel.
In a post on Twitter/X on Saturday, Robertson urged the broadcaster and the UK as a whole to reconsider its participation in the song contest.
He wrote: “The BBC should join the growing number of broadcasters to boycott Eurovision if Israel is involved. The UK should not take part in Eurovision Song Contest as genocide continues in Gaza.”
The BBC should join the growing number of broadcasters to boycott Eurovision if Israel is involved. The UK should not take part in Eurovision Song Contest as genocide continues in Gaza. https://t.co/GCn7XiPfIY
— Angus Robertson (@AngusRobertson) September 13, 2025
His comments come after Dutch public broadcaster Avrotros confirmed on Friday that it would not participate in the 2026 competition.
A statement issued by the firm read: “Human suffering, the suppression of press freedom and political interference are at odds with the values of public broadcasting.”
It continued to say the broadcaster could “no longer justify Israel’s participation” as a result of the “ongoing and severe human suffering” inflicted upon Gaza by Israel’s genocide.
“The broadcaster has therefore decided that participation by AVROTROS in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will not be possible as long as Israel is admitted by the EBU”, the statement read.
“Should the EBU [European Broadcasting Union] decide not to admit Israel, AVROTROS will gladly take part next year.”
The decision from the Dutch broadcasting service followed an announcement from RTÉ, which also said Ireland wouldn’t participate in Eurovision 2026 “if the participation of Israel goes ahead”.
A statement from the Irish broadcaster read: "It is RTÉ's position that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, if the participation of Israel goes ahead, and the final decision regarding Ireland's participation will be made once the EBU's decision is made.
"RTÉ is also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages."
Other countries who have decided upon or are considering a boycott of the contest include Spain, Slovenia, and Iceland.
Former first minister Humza Yousaf echoed Robertson’s sentiments, saying on Twitter/X: “Strong statement from Scotland's Culture Secretary @AngusRobertson calling for the BBC to boycott Eurovision if Israel is involved, as many other broadcasters have agreed to do.
“It is time to enact a cultural and sporting boycott of Israel – a nation actively committing genocide.”
Strong statement from Scotland's Culture Secretary @AngusRobertson calling for the BBC to boycott Eurovision if Israel is involved, as many other broadcasters have agreed to do. It is time to enact a cultural & sporting boycott of Israel - a nation actively committing genocide. https://t.co/fb9QzOwAne
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) September 13, 2025
As reported by the BBC, Martin Green CBE, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said that the EBU "understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East”, adding that EBU members were still being consulted with, to gauge how the union manages “participation and geopolitical tensions” surrounding the competition.
He added: “Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm if they wish to take part in next year's event in Vienna. It is up to each member to decide if they want to take part in the contest, and we would respect any decision broadcasters make."
