Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belgian union ACOD Cultuur urged artists to boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation, citing Gaza human rights; RTBF confirmed Belgium will join, linking it to civilian and journalist protection.
As Nieuwsblad reported, the socialist trade union ACOD Cultuur has urged Belgian artists and cultural workers not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest while Israel is involved. ACOD Cultuur mentioned that culture and music should bring people together and promote solidarity. The union said art and cultural events should help communities understand each other and cooperate.
“But culture must also be outspoken in condemning human rights violations and authoritarianism. We advocate for a cultural boycott of the State of Israel in general and the Eurovision Song Contest in particular,”
says Tristan Faes of ACOD Cultur.
What should Belgian artists do about Eurovision 2026 and Gaza concerns?
ACOD Cultuur said Israel’s participation is problematic because of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
‘This goes against a growing trend in Europe to organise not only an economic but also a cultural boycott against a state whose government is guilty of war crimes and genocide,”
emphasises Inge Hermans.
Belgian trade unions ACV VRT and ACOD VRT asked the public broadcaster not to show the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. The unions said they are worried about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The unions added that broadcasters have a duty to follow ethical standards and avoid promoting events that may overlook the suffering of civilians.
Despite these concerns, the French-language public broadcaster RTBF confirmed on Friday, Dec 5, 2025, that Belgium will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, next year. RTBF said the country’s participation will be linked to a “clear position” on protecting civilians and journalists in Gaza. The broadcaster said Belgium wants to join the international contest while showing a strong commitment to human rights.
Belgium has faced several controversies over Eurovision participation in the past. In 2005, some Belgian organisations called for a boycott of the contest in Kyiv to protest Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territories, but the public broadcaster VRT still sent a representative. In 2019, unions and cultural groups raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank before the contest in Tel Aviv. They urged broadcasters not to show the event, but Belgium participated as planned.
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