The head of Spain’s public broadcaster has said he will propose that the country remains out of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 over Israel’s participation.

José Pablo López, president of RTVE, told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that it was “deeply painful” that Israeli public broadcaster KAN would continue to take part in Eurovision given the situation in Gaza.

Spain was one of five countries, alongside Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia, which did not participate in this year’s contest in Vienna following controversy over Israel’s participation.

López said changes made by Eurovision organisers since then represented “technical progress”, but added that there was still “unfinished business on the ethical front”.

“For this reason, I announce that I will propose to the RTVE board that we maintain the suspension of our participation in Eurovision,” he said.

The proposal would have to be approved by RTVE’s board before Spain’s position for the 2027 contest is confirmed.

Responding to López’s comments, Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said organisers would await the board’s final decision.

“We respect RTVE’s process and will await their Board’s final decision,” he said.

Green said Eurovision had made “significant changes” over the past year after listening to concerns raised by its members.

These included stronger safeguards against undue external influence and promotion, tighter voting limits, the return of professional juries to the semi-finals and changes aimed at ensuring the contest can be hosted safely and securely.

“We regret that, despite these changes, a recommendation will be made that RTVE does not take part in the Contest next year,” Green said.

He added that RTVE had been part of Eurovision since 1961 and said organisers would be “disappointed not to have Spain join us in Bulgaria”.

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Spain is one of Eurovision’s so-called Big Five, alongside France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, whose broadcasters are among the biggest financial contributors to the competition and whose entries automatically qualify for the Grand Final.

RTÉ confirmed last week that Ireland will not participate in or broadcast Eurovision 2027, saying its position on the contest “remains unchanged”.

The broadcaster said Ireland’s participation could not be justified given “the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk”.

RTÉ also said it remained “deeply concerned” by the continued denial of independent access to international journalists to Gaza.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has also said it will not participate in Eurovision 2027, with responsibility for any Dutch participation now returning to the NPO, the umbrella organisation for public broadcasting in the Netherlands.

The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, after DARA won this year’s competition for Bulgaria with Bangaranga.

The semi-finals will take place on 11 and 13 May, with the Grand Final being held at Arena Burgas on 15 May.

The final list of broadcasters taking part in Eurovision 2027 has not yet been announced.

Additional reporting AFP