A new survey has revealed that just under 70% of Brits would support the BBC if it withdrew from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel could take part. Meanwhile, over 80% of those surveyed believe Israel should not be allowed to compete in any circumstance.
Support for Brits withdrawal spans across gender and age
The survey, which was commissioned by Pablo O’Hara, a senior political analyst, who has worked with British Deputy Prime Ministers. In the survey, a total of 1,093 people were asked a series of questions, with Eurovision fans being separated from that of casual Brits who watch the show.
When asked on whether Israel should be allowed to take part, 82% of Brits believed Israel should not be allowed to participate. This rose to 87% for Eurovision fans, whom the survey defined as people who have watched the show four times in the last five years.
As well as this, when they were asked if the BBC should withdraw from next year’s Contest if Israel could participate, 69% of all Brits – including Eurovision fans – supported the calls. They added that the decision to expel Russia following its invasion of Ukraine was “the right decision”.
EBU risk “ripping out Eurovision’s soul”
Speaking on the results of the survey, Pablo O’Hana said:
The EBU were right to exclude Russia after its unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, and I was so proud of my country when we hosted in Liverpool on behalf of our neighbours under siege. It was Britain at its best and Eurovision at its finest.
“But the organisers now risk ripping out its soul. The EBU’s refusal to apply the same principle to Israel is forcing members to take a stand or face a credibility crisis. The British public can see that double standard – and they want the UK to stand with our allies like Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands in walking away.
He went on to add that the BBC should heed the public’s calls and withdraw, saying:
The UK’s participation in Eurovision 2026 without any meaningful dissent could be seen as an endorsement of Israel’s actions in Palestine. That is not who we are. The BBC is the public’s broadcaster. It exists to serve the people who fund it – and these findings show exactly where the public stand.
Eurovision isn’t just about songs and staging – it’s about values. If Israel is permitted to compete, the people of Britain believe we should walk away. The BBC must get a backbone and listen.
During a meeting among Heads of Delegation in July, it emerged the BBC had abstained from voting during the initial vote on Israeli participation. BBC Director-General Tim Davie said the corporation would “make a decision” on participation in the coming days.
United Kingdom’s Eurovision journey
The UK is one of the most successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest. Debuting at the second edition of the Contest in 1957, the United Kingdom won the competition on five occasions. The most recent win for the UK was in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves, singing “Love Shine A Light”. The UK also holds the record for second-place finishes – currently at 16.
In 2025, Remember Monday represented the UK in Basel with his song “What the Hell Just Happened”. At the close of voting, the UK finished 19th in a field of 26, earning 88 points. All these points came from the jury.
What do you make of the survey results? Do you think the BBC will follow up on the results and withdraw? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News Source: Find Out Now
Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming / EBU
Giwrgos Oiko 
Tim J 
Famestar6
UK should boycott the eurovision if Isreal is allowed to compete.