UN Special Reporter Condemns Israel's Participation At Eurovision 2026

UN Human Rights Special Reporter Total Albanese. (Wikimedia Commons/Photographruhi official de la Presidencia de Colombia)

JAKARTA - UN Special rapporteur for the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories, totaling Albanese criticized a decision allowing Israel to participate in the Eurovision 2026 Song Contest.

In an upload on social media X Sunday night, Albanese emphasized that Israel was not expelled from the United Nations, other international forums, UEFA, FIFA, FIBA, or similar cultural events.

"Genosida continues as it has become commonplace, and then, as it is now (with European countries' decision to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel's participation), the accountability process begins with a European boycott," he tweeted.

In his upload, Albanese criticized the Eurovision Song Contest using a picture that read "Genevidy" which reminded the concept of genocide.

Earlier the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Belgium on Thursday last week officially announced their withdrawal from the Eurovision 2026 Song Contest in protest against Israel's participation.

Quoted from Antara, the withdrawals, including RTVE (Spain), AVROTROS (Netherlands), RTE (Ireland) to RTVSLO (Slovenia) were carried out because the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) did not exclude Israel from the event.

Meanwhile, several countries have yet to make a final decision. Austria as the host of Eurovision 2026 supports Israeli participation, while Jemran warns it can withdraw if Israel is prohibited from participating.