Media Release: Australia Must Withdraw Australia from Eurovision 2026
Media Release: Australia Must Withdraw Australia from Eurovision 2026 | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Media Release: Australia Must Withdraw Australia from Eurovision 2026 2025-12-05 The Australian Greens are calling on the Albanese Government to back Australia withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 following the European Broadcasting Union's decision to allow Israel to compete despite the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Slovenia, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands have already announced boycotts. It's time Australia showed the same moral courage. In the face of apartheid and genocide, cultural boycotts have been proven to have power and be a force for justice and change.
This history needs to be remembered now and applied to the struggle for a Free Palestine. Greens Senator and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: "Eurovision banned Russia for war crimes but rolls out the red carpet for Israel while Palestinian children are still starving, bombs are still falling and cities lay destroyed. “The International Court of Justice is investigating Israel for genocide, we should not be asking Australians to sing alongside a regime that has committed such appalling crimes.
"History shows us that cultural boycotts work. Artists and athletes refusing to perform in apartheid South Africa helped bring down that brutal regime. “It’s a simple fact that our participation in Eurovision 2026 legitimises Israel's atrocities.
“Politically compromised voting in Eurovision 2025 almost delivered an Israeli victory at the song contest, will we really sit meekly by and watch that happen again?” Senator Shoebridge said Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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