Spain’s 2022 Eurovision star says she’s against 'Israel' competing in 2026
Chanel Terrero, Spain’s representative at Eurovision 2022 who delivered the country’s best result in decades, has openly expressed her opposition to 'Israel’s' participation in the upcoming Eurovision 2026 contest.
Speaking to a journalist from the Spanish show No Somos Nadie during a fashion event, Terrero was asked about ongoing discussions regarding 'Israel’s' involvement in the competition.
“With all this boycott talk, how do you feel about Israel participating in Eurovision?” the reporter asked.
“To be honest, I am not in favor of Israel participating,” Terrero replied. When pressed on whether she would prefer Israel not to participate, she reiterated, “Yes, indeed. That’s exactly what I just said.”
The controversy arises amid heightened tensions around the Eurovision contest, as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) recently postponed the vote on Israel’s participation. The final decision will now be made at the EBU General Assembly scheduled for December 4–5, following the ceasefire in Gaza.
In a related move, Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has announced that it will not send a representative to Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to compete. This unprecedented decision by a “Big 5” member country follows similar stances taken by Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, all siding with artists and organizations advocating for 'Israel’s' exclusion.
Reactions to Terrero’s remarks have been mixed. On No Somos Nadie, hosts such as Carlota Corredera criticized the singer, noting that she had been Spain’s top-scoring Eurovision performer in decades and was responsible for awarding points in this year’s contest. Belén Esteban also weighed in, suggesting that Terrero could have been more forceful in expressing her views rather than being “so curt with the journalist.”
The question of 'Israel’s' participation in Eurovision 2026 remains unresolved, with the EBU General Assembly in December expected to deliver the final verdict.
