In a joint statement, the artists highlighted the double standard regarding Russia's ban in 2022 and expressed disappointment with both RTP and the voting outcome of the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU) General Assembly.
"Despite Russia being banned from participating in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest for political reasons (the invasion of Ukraine), we were astonished to see that the same fate did not befall Israel, which, according to the UN, is committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza."
The signatories of the letter are: Beatriz Bronze (Evaya), Bateu Matou, Cristina Branco, Djodje, Francisco Fontes, Gonçalo Gomes, Inês Sousa, Jorge Gonçalves (Jacaréu), Marquise, Nunca Mates o Mandarim, Pedro Fernandes, and Rita Dias.
Given this statement, only one of the remaining four acts in Festival da Canção 2026 would potentially go to Eurovision if they win.
Moreover, nearly 23,000 people have signed a public petition urging RTP to withdraw from the contest. Pressure on the Portuguese broadcaster is mounting after it confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026 on the same day that broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia withdrew from the contest, citing concerns over the EBU General Assembly outcome and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
RTP chairman Nicolau Santos had confirmed Portugal’s participation, stating that RTP would attend Eurovision 2026:
"RTP, like the vast majority of member countries, voted in favor of changing the rules to allow countries to participate in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with greater confidence in the voting results. Based on this decision by the EBU, RTP will participate in the 2026 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria."
As previously reported, Iceland’s RÚV has joined the boycott, highlighting growing doubts about the EBU’s credibility and stating that Eurovision can no longer unite Icelandic fans.
Festival da Canção 2026 is scheduled for late February, with semi-finals on 21 and 28 February and the grand final on 7 March.
