Madrid: The head of Spain's public broadcaster RTVE, Jose Pablo Lopez, has openly criticized Eurovision Song Contest Director Martin Green for not addressing the situation in Gaza and Israel in his recent open letter to fans. Lopez described it as a 'worst reputational crisis in the history of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).'

According to Anadolu Agency, Green's letter emerged amidst growing tensions, as five national broadcasters, including Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Ireland, and Iceland, have withdrawn from the contest. They are protesting against Israel's continued participation amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Lopez expressed that Green's message did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the current situation. He criticized Green's reference to the conflict as merely 'events' in the Middle East, questioning whether genocide could be reduced to such a term. Lopez further underscored the inadequacy of Green's reassurance to fans that he 'listens' to them, suggesting that listening alone was insufficient as a response to the crisis.

Furthermore, Lopez challenged Green's assertion that 'the past is the past' with regard to contest rules, questioning the lack of accountability for Israel's alleged rule violations over the past two years. He raised concerns about the EBU's application of its rules, suggesting they might be influenced by geopolitical and economic considerations.

Lopez also highlighted that after new rules were adopted, Israeli officials claimed to have politically influenced delegations to ensure Israel's continued participation in the competition. This, he suggested, further complicates the integrity of the contest.

Green maintained in his letter that Eurovision should remain guided by its rules and avoid taking explicit geopolitical stances. However, EBU members recently decided not to vote on Israel's participation in the 2026 contest, which effectively secures the country's place in the event.

In protest, the public broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Ireland, and Iceland have decided to withdraw from Eurovision, marking a significant moment of dissent within the European broadcasting community.