Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is banned from competing, Al Jazeera reports.

Merz said he would “support” withdrawing from the contest should Israel be excluded.

“I think it’s a scandal that this is even being discussed,” he said. “Israel has a place there.”

France has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026, while Spain has also said it will withdraw if Israel is banned.