ISTANBUL

Türkiye’s public broadcaster TRT has sharply criticized the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) after the organization confirmed Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, a decision that has sparked a major backlash across Europe.

The EBU approved new contest rules during a meeting in Geneva, where several members, including Türkiye, demanded a secret vote, TRT said in a statement on Friday.

While the new rules were passed, the EBU ruled that Israel’s participation would not be put to a separate vote, effectively guaranteeing Israel’s place in the competition.

TRT’s Director of International Relations Mustafa Saritas condemned the outcome, saying Israel had been carrying out “a systematic genocide” against civilians in Palestine.

He stressed that allowing Israel’s broadcaster KAN to compete was “neither appropriate nor compatible with Eurovision’s values.”

“Like everyone in this hall, we at TRT have witnessed a decades-long persecution and a genocide unfolding before the world’s eyes,” Saritas said.

“Since the so-called ceasefire began, dozens of children have been killed and aid still cannot reach Gaza safely. More than 270 journalists have been killed by Israel," he said.

"Our stance is clear: allowing KAN to participate is neither appropriate nor compatible with the values of this contest,” he added.

Following TRT’s remarks, several European broadcasters issued strong statements condemning the EBU’s decision.

Four countries withdraw from Eurovision

Israel’s confirmed participation prompted the Netherlands, Spain, Slovenia and Ireland to pull out of the contest.

Ireland’s public broadcaster RTE said ongoing mass casualties in Gaza and the systematic targeting of civilians made participation “unconscionable.”

Slovenia’s RTV announced it would not broadcast the event.

Spain, one of the founding countries of Eurovision, said Israel was using the contest for political purposes, and therefore it would not take part.

When a representative of Israel’s public broadcaster KAN took the floor, delegations from TRT and Algeria walked out in protest.

Germany and Austria, however, expressed support for Israel’s continued participation.

EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci emphasized transparency and trust in a statement following the meeting, but her remarks did little to ease public backlash or halt the growing wave of broadcaster protests across Europe.