Kneecap, Massive Attack, and The Mary Wallopers Join Over 1,000 Artists Calling for Eurovision 2026 Boycott

Irish bands Kneecap and The Mary Wallopers, alongside Massive Attack, have signed an open letter demanding a boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s participation in the event. The letter, organized by the No Music For Genocide campaign, has garnered support from more than 1,000 musicians and artists worldwide, including Brian Eno, Macklemore, Sigur Rós, and Black Country, New Road.

The artists argue that Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision contradicts the contest’s values, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and accusing Israel of committing genocide. They point to Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision since 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine as a precedent for removing states engaged in military aggression.

The open letter states: “For the third consecutive year, Israel will be ‘celebrated onstage despite its ongoing genocide in Gaza, even as Russia remains banned for its illegal invasion of Ukraine.’” It further condemns the silencing of Palestinian cultural expression, referencing reports of children in Israeli prisons being punished for humming songs and the destruction of cultural infrastructure in Gaza.

Signatories are calling on broadcasters, performers, and fans to join the boycott until the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) bans Israel’s national broadcaster, KAN, from the competition. Several national broadcasters have already withdrawn from airing the 2026 contest in protest, including those in Ireland, Slovenia, Spain, Iceland, and the Netherlands.

The Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place from May 12 to May 16, 2026. This year marks the 70th edition of the event, which has seen growing pressure from cultural workers and human rights advocates to reassess Israel’s eligibility amid international criticism of its actions in Gaza and the wider region.

The No Music For Genocide movement, which initiated the letter, encourages artists to remove their music from streaming platforms in Israel as part of a broader cultural boycott. Supporters of the campaign include globally recognized acts such as Björk, Lorde, and Paramore’s Hayley Williams.

As of April 2026, over 1,000 entertainment figures have signed the open letter, reflecting a significant increase in artist-led activism surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest and its political dimensions.