Arabic version: سلوفينيا تستبدل يوروفيجن بسلسلة أفلام فلسطينية

Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV has announced it will not air the Eurovision song contest this year, opting instead to showcase a series of films about Palestine. The decision aligns with a broader boycott of the event due to Israel’s participation, following protests against the country’s conduct in the war in Gaza. According to The Guardian, RTV Slovenia’s director, Ksenija Horvat, confirmed the plans to replace the Eurovision broadcast with the film series titled “Voices of Palestine,” which includes both documentaries and feature films.

This year marks the Eurovision contest’s 70th anniversary, with 35 countries set to compete in Vienna from May 12 to 16. However, Slovenia joins Ireland and Spain, both of which have also opted out of broadcasting the event for the first time since they started participating. Ireland’s RTÉ had previously announced its decision to boycott last December, while Spain’s RTVE reiterated its stance last week.

The decision to boycott the contest stems from the European Broadcasting Union’s choice to allow Israel to participate, despite significant international criticism. Slovenia’s Prime Minister, Robert Golob, has been a vocal opponent of Israel’s actions in Gaza and has previously implemented measures against Israeli products from occupied territories.

The Eurovision contest, which aims to unite through music, has faced ongoing challenges in separating entertainment from political issues, particularly in light of the recent conflicts. This year, new regulations will be introduced to mitigate political influences in the competition, following concerns raised after Israel’s strong performance in the 2025 contest.

As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how the boycott will impact the Eurovision brand and its ability to navigate the complexities of global political issues while celebrating music.