Eurovision: Spanish Jewish community, cultural events are places for people to meet

Madrid (Spain), 5 December (LaPresse) – ‘Cultural events should serve as spaces for encounter and dialogue, not as stages for confrontation.’ This was stated to LaPresse by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (Fcje), commenting on the decision by Spanish public radio and television broadcaster Rtve not to participate in Eurovision 2026 due to Israel’s presence. According to the federation, RTVE’s decision not to broadcast the festival ‘harms millions of viewers, as it is well known that this event brings together millions of people.’ The Fcje says it does not wish to comment on the decision of the European Broadcasting Union’s General Assembly, which effectively allowed Israel to participate, but said it ‘disagrees in principle with the boycott of any country’. ‘In this case, moreover, entertainment is mixed with political issues, which further obscures the purpose of the festival,’ the federation said. “We believe that cultural events should serve as spaces for encounter and dialogue, not as scenarios for confrontation. Therefore, we ask that future decisions be made with greater caution and with the aim of preserving the inclusive and artistic character that has always distinguished this competition,‘ the Fcje continued, ’we are at a time when we look with hope to the resolution of the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas, so measures should be aimed at supporting that resolution.”