Eurovision 2026: Paloma Faith, Kneecap And Paul Weller Support Boycott Calls

A range of artists have put their name to an open letter calling for a boycott of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision has been at the centre of scrutiny for several years now due to the continued presence of Israel, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

For the last few years, the competition has faced calls for Israel to be banned from participating, similarly to the way Russia was expelled after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Since it was confirmed last year that Israel would be invited back for the 2026 contest, five countries – Ireland, Spain, The Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland – have withdrawn from Eurovision in solidarity with Palestine.

On Tuesday, the organisation No Music For Genocide announced it was joining forces with the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement and an array of public figures to put forward an open letter calling for a boycott of the 2026 competition.

Among the stars to have co-signed the open letter are Paloma Faith, Kneecap, Paul Weller, Peter Gabriel and Massive Attack.

Idles, Young Gathers, Nadine Shah, Macklemore and Hot Chip are also listed as co-signatories.

The letter reads: “This May, millions of people are expected to tune in to the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. For the third consecutive year, they’ll find Israel celebrated onstage despite its ongoing genocide in Gaza, while Russia remains banned for its illegal invasion of Ukraine. 

“As musicians and cultural workers, many living within the reaches of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), we reject Eurovision being used to whitewash and normalise Israel’s genocide, siege and brutal military occupation against Palestinians.

“We stand in solidarity with Palestinian calls for public broadcasters, performers, screening party organisers, crew, and fans to boycott Eurovision until the EBU bans complicit Israeli broadcaster KAN.”

No Music For Genocide’s letter continues: “We applaud the principled withdrawals of the Spanish, Irish, Icelandic, Slovenian, and Dutch broadcasters, and the many national selection finalists committing to refuse to go to Eurovision. Just as artists stood against oppression in South Africa, we stand together now.”

Kneecap also issued an individual statement, which says: “Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022. Israel has been murdering Palestinians for decades and is now committing genocide – and for the third year running, they’re welcomed back onto the stage. That’s not neutrality. That’s a choice.

“We’ve paid a price for speaking out – lost gigs, court cases, visa bans – and we’d do it all again tomorrow. Silence is complicity. We stand with No Music for Genocide and every artist, fan and broadcaster who refuses to let the world’s biggest music event be used to whitewash genocide.”

Reigning Eurovision champion JJ said shortly after his victory in May 2025 that he supports calls for Israel to be banned from competing, echoing comments made weeks earlier by his predecessor Nemo during an interview with HuffPost UK.

In the run-up to last year’s live final, a host of musicians and performers associated with the contest – including numerous former winners – also shared their own open letter calling for Israel to be expelled from Eurovision.