How will countries boycotting Eurovision affect the contest?

The Eurovision Song Contest faces unprecedented internal division as five nations—the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, and Slovenia—boycott the 70th edition in Austria due to Israel’s participation. While the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) maintains a policy of political neutrality, experts Natalia Gorshak, Dr. Barbara Avereiro-Leon, Dr. Heather Dichter, and Dr. Dean Vuletic highlight how the event functions as a "cultural mirror" for geopolitical tensions. Historically, the contest has served as a soft-power tool, yet the current crisis tests its foundational "United by Music" slogan. Unlike sporting bodies that occasionally impose sanctions based on international law, the EBU lacks the mandate to act against governments, leaving the contest vulnerable to becoming a stage for political protest. Ultimately, the boycott signals a growing trend where participants and audiences increasingly view the event through the lens of national identity and political alignment rather than purely as entertainment.