Austrian Eurovision winner says Israel should be barred from 2026 contest

Austria’s Eurovision champion JJ has called for Israel to be banned from the 2026 contest in Vienna, citing its war on Gaza, widely described by rights groups and legal scholars as a genocide.

JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, told El Pais on Thursday it was “very disappointing” to see Israel still included, adding: “I would like the next Eurovision to be held in Vienna and without Israel.”

The 2025 contest, despite Eurovision’s claims of neutrality, was steeped in controversy because Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, including at least 16,500 children.

Speaking to international media just days after his victory in Basel with the song Wasted Love, JJ joined a growing chorus demanding accountability from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

“There should be greater transparency regarding the televoting. This year, everything was very strange about it,” he told El Pais.

Read more: Austrian Eurovision winner says Israel should be barred from 2026 contest