Eurovision invited the Spaniard Jorge González to a parallel event: “For obvious reasons, I have declined”

Despite Spain’s refusal to participate in Eurovision 2026 due to the presence of Israel in the contest, the festival organization does not seem to give up and has tried to include a Spanish representative in its official events. This was explained by singer Jorge González, who revealed that he was invited to participate in the Euroclub, the official parties linked to the contest held in this year’s host city, Vienna.

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González, who was a finalist of Benidorm Fest 2024, explained that he was invited but declined to participate. “It is true that I received an invitation from the organization to participate this year. However, for obvious reasons that we all know, I have decided to reject it,” he clarified. “I feel very grateful and honored that they wanted to count on me. Still, if my country does not participate, my position is firm: I am with Spain and, in coherence with that, I will not be part of it either.”

The 70th edition of the Eurovision festival will take place at the Wiener Stadthalle Vienna (Austria). The first semifinal will be on Tuesday, May 12, the second on Thursday, May 14, and the grand final on Saturday, May 16. Spain is the only country of the Big Five, the five largest contributors to the European Broadcasting Union, that will not participate in the festival, and it will be the most notable absence of this event. The broadcasters of Ireland (RTÉ), Slovenia (RTVSLO), Iceland (RÚV), and the Netherlands (AVROTROS) will also not participate, in protest against Israel’s attacks on Palestine.

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RTVE considered in its withdrawal that “the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the use of the contest for political purposes by Israel make it difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event.”

Eight countries had requested a vote from the EBU on Israel’s continued participation in the contest, but the request was denied and the Spanish proposal to suspend the Israeli broadcaster (KAN) for at least one year was not put to a vote.

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