LISBON, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A majority of the musicians and performers competing in Festival da Cancao 2026 (Song Festival 2026) announced on Wednesday that they will refuse to represent Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if they win the national competition, in protest against Israel's participation.
According to Lusa News Agency, 17 artists signed a joint statement declaring that they will not take part in Eurovision should they become Portugal's representatives. "With words and with songs, we act within the possibilities we have. We do not condone the violation of Human Rights," they wrote, criticizing decision of Radio e Televisao de Portugal (RTP), Portugal's public service broadcaster to support Israel's participation during the Dec. 4 vote at the European Broadcasting Union's general assembly.
The artists expressed shock that Israel was not banned from participating, despite, according to the UN, committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
The 60th Festival da Cancao will take place in February and March 2026, with winner of this national competition, organized by RTP, is expected to represent Portugal at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled for May in Austria.
Opposition to Portugal's participation in Eurovision 2026 is growing across multiple sectors. Multiple employee representative bodies within RTP have called on the broadcaster's management to withdraw from Eurovision, arguing that allowing Israel to continue participating amounts to the "normalization" of a country accused of serious human rights violations.
Salvador Sobral, Portugal's 2017 Eurovision winner, also criticized RTP's decision on social media, accusing the broadcaster of "institutional cowardice" for simultaneously participating in Eurovision while planning to broadcast a concert on Wednesday to raise funds for Gaza, in which he himself will take part.
Public opposition continues to grow. A petition launched on Dec. 5 demanding RTP, and therefore Portugal, withdraw from Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel remains in the competition has already gathered more than 22,000 signatures. ■