Malta Says “No” to Boycott: Culture Minister Defends Dialogue Over Division at Eurovision 2026

As calls for a Eurovision 2026 boycott grow louder across Europe, Malta has confirmed it will not withdraw from next year’s contest in Vienna, even if Israel remains in the competition.

Speaking to the Times of Malta, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said he believes in keeping “the window of dialogue open”, insisting that cultural platforms like Eurovision should remain spaces for understanding rather than exclusion.

“Although I completely criticise the actions of the Israeli government, I believe the Eurovision is a place of dialogue,” Bonnici said. “Culture should be that one safe space where dialogue can always occur.”

A Voice for Dialogue Amid Boycott Calls

Bonnici’s remarks come as a growing number of European broadcasters — including RTÉ (Ireland), RTVSLO (Slovenia), RÚV (Iceland), AVROTROS (Netherlands), and most recently RTVE (Spain) — have threatened to boycott the contest if Israel is not excluded by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Spain, a Big Five country and one of Eurovision’s main financial contributors, became the first major broadcaster to condition its participation on Israel’s removal earlier this week.

“We encourage a culture of dialogue, not cancellation,” Bonnici told Times of Malta, adding that “even amid grave injustices, cultural platforms must remain open for discussion.”

“I Agree with the UN: Israel Is Committing Genocide”

Bonnici’s stance on keeping dialogue open does not mean he downplays Israel’s actions. The minister confirmed that he agrees with the recent UN investigation accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and of incitement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Palestine has the right to exist as a nation state,” he said. “I completely criticise what Israel is doing both in Palestine and outside Palestine.”

Still, Bonnici stressed that boycotting Eurovision would not help peace, arguing that culture can act as a bridge even in moments of deep division.

“Culture Is Not War”

The minister recalled facing similar dilemmas during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, when Maltese institutions debated whether to ban Russian composers from cultural programming.

Initially in favour of exclusion, Bonnici said he later reconsidered, concluding that culture must remain a tool for connection, not cancellation.

“This is not about condoning actions — it’s about keeping a conversation alive,” he said.

The EBU will make a final decision on Israel’s participation at its General Assembly in December.

Source: The times of Malta