ISTANBUL/BRUSSELS

A motion calling on Belgium’s Francophone public broadcaster RTBF to reconsider its decision to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was submitted to the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation on Thursday.

Members of the Francophone Socialist Party (PS) submitted the proposal, according to the parliament’s official website.

The motion argues that diplomatic and economic pressure is required under international law to help prevent genocide, stressing that boycotting a competition involving Israel would be “symbolic but strong and necessary.”

It adds that withdrawing from the contest would align Belgium with “international obligations aimed at avoiding complicity and tolerance in the face of genocide.”

The proposal also criticizes RTBF for taking a “binding” decision on behalf of Belgium “without consulting its board of directors,” urging the Francophone Community Government to intervene and seek a review of the broadcaster’s position.

Belgium, which has three official languages, is governed by six different executives -- the federal government, the Flemish Government, the Walloon Government, the Brussels-Capital Region Government, the Francophone Community Government and the German-speaking Community Government.

While the Francophone Community Government cannot overturn RTBF’s Eurovision decision, it appoints the broadcaster’s board members and therefore wields political influence.

At the Dec. 4 General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), members declined to vote on Israel’s participation and instead allowed it to compete in the 2026 contest, a move that prompted several countries to announce they would boycott the event.

Flemish public broadcaster VRT said on Dec. 4 that it would not take part next year, stating it would continue advocating within the EBU for “a clearer commitment to peace, human rights and compassion.”

It added that its future involvement in Eurovision would depend on how the EBU addresses these concerns. VRT will nonetheless broadcast the contest as an EBU member.

VRT’s withdrawal does not automatically exclude Belgium from the competition.

The country’s Eurovision participation alternates annually between VRT and RTBF. This year, RTBF holds the right to select the Belgian entry and reaffirmed on Dec. 5 that it will take part in Eurovision 2026.

Speaking to Anadolu, RTBF said the situation in Gaza and the protection of civilians and journalists in conflict zones remained its “top priority.”

“No cultural event or international competition can outweigh the obligation to protect civilians and journalists reporting from conflict zones,” the broadcaster said.

RTBF stressed the urgent need to ensure safe access to Gaza for journalists, support independent Palestinian media and safeguard the independence of Israel’s public broadcaster.

It added that it would work actively within the EBU toward these objectives.