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Eurovision in crisis as countries walk out over Israel

Four countries said they would not take part in the contest due to Israel鈥檚 participation.

Broadcasters in Ireland, The Netherlands, Slovenia and in Spain announced that they would neither show nor take part in next year鈥檚 competition, due to be held in Vienna. Members of the European Broadcasting Union, which organises the contest, had earlier decided not to hold a vote on barring Israel from competing.

Also on the programme: Vladimir Putin is feted by Narendra Modi on his visit to India; and we hear what the late Steve Cropper, legendary session guitarist, taught Otis Reading.

(Picture: Israeli entrant Yuval Raphael ahead of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 14, 2025 Credit: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)

50 minutes

Last on

Thu 4 Dec 2025 20:06GMT

Broadcast

  • Thu 4 Dec 2025 20:06GMT

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