RTV Slovenia director Ksenija Horvat confirmed the decision, citing Israel's inclusion in the contest. Slovenia previously pulled out of the event over Israel's participation. This year's main competition with 35 competing countries is scheduled to be held May 12-16 in Vienna. Slovenia, along with Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, is boycotting because Israel was allowed to take part. Organizers decided in December to allow Israel to compete. Slovenia has been a vocal critic of Israel over its conduct of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
The Eurovision contest has been roiled by the Israel-Hamas war, stirring protests outside venues and forcing organizers to clamp down on political flag-waving. Russia was expelled from Eurovision in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
For Eurofans, the Eurovision season starts in September when songs from different countries start to come out, said João Vargas. Albania starts in December, so for us it starts there, he added. Francisco Rodrigues described February and March as 'total madness', with Saturdays spent watching multiple national finals simultaneously. Helena Almeida noted that the community formed organically, creating a sense of belonging. Fábio Alexandre recalled watching Eurovision with his grandparents, with the 2006 victory of rock band Lordi marking a generational clash.