Watch: Malta will take part in Eurovision, minister says despite boycott calls

Malta will still take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said, arguing that a boycott would do nothing to advance peace in the Middle East despite four other countries announcing their withdrawal over Israel’s participation.

Several countries had called for Israel to be kicked out of the contest over its assault on Gaza, which several human rights organisatons have labelled a genocide. 

However, the European Broadcasting Union, which oversees the competition, did not hold an exclusion vote at its December General Assembly on Thursday. 

Consequently, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia confirmed they were pulling out of the competition. 

Speaking to Times of Malta, Bonnici reaffirmed that Malta would be taking part despite Israel’s presence at the contest, insisting that boycotting the contest would do nothing to bring peace to the Middle East.  

“We need to be constantly working towards peace. Peace is achieved by keeping lines of communications between all parties open, and culture contributes greatly to this,” Bonnici said, adding that he understood “well-intentioned” arguments that countries that commit illegal acts of violence should be shunned. 

“If I knew there would be peace in the Middle East if Malta didn’t take part in Eurovision, my reply would be simple and everyone would know what should be done. The reality is that peace has to be worked for and we need to foster dialogue between nations.” 

Bonnici, who has previously shown his support for the Palestinian cause, said he also respected the views of organisations like arts industry union MEIA and writers’ association PEN Malta, which have both called for a boycott if Israel takes part.  

The minister said that Malta and the rest of the EU should continue pushing for the two-state solution to become reality. Malta's recognition of Palestine as a state was part of this push, he added.

“I’m not saying peace can be achieved through culture alone, but every little thing helps to foster dialogue.” 

'Culture not a shield for impunity'

PEN Malta on Friday urged the government to "take a principled stand" echoing a call by Moviment Graffitti for Malta to withdraw from Eurovision 2026.

"We call on the Prime Minister to show leadership by joining those broadcasters and governments who have upheld moral consistency and refused to normalise the ongoing genocide and brutal occupation of Palestinians by Israel."

The writers'association spoke of its "profound outrage" at the EBU's decision pointing out it contrasted sharply with its own precedents, when Russia and Belarus were barred for violations of international law.

"Culture is not a shield for impunity," PEN Malta said in a statement. 

"The EBU cannot claim neutrality while enabling a state accused of systemic abuses to use one of Europe's largest cultural platforms for image-laundering."

Meanwhile, Moviment Graffitti said if Malta participates in the Eurovision, "it would be sending a dangerous message - that Israel can commit major atrocities without any consequence."

“We reiterate that the argument we often hear, that politics has nothing to do with Eurovision, absolutely does not hold. It has so much to do with it that the same EBU that will allow Israel to participate had expelled Russia from Eurovision when it began its invasion of Ukraine,” the NGO said.