Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest is under intense scrutiny as member broadcasters convene in Geneva for a two-day meeting starting Thursday. This discussion follows escalating calls from several countries to exclude Israel due to its military actions in Gaza, particularly following the recent conflict. Broadcasters from nations including Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands have threatened to withdraw from the 2026 contest if Israel is allowed to participate.
Several other countries, such as Belgium, Finland, and Sweden, are also contemplating a boycott. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has voiced strong concerns, citing a “serious violation of press freedom” by Israel in Gaza, and accused the nation of lobbying foreign voters during the last contest, where it finished in second place.
EBU Responds to Member Concerns
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision event, initially planned to hold a vote on Israel’s participation in November. However, following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas announced on October 10, the EBU postponed this decision until its general assembly scheduled for December 4-5. In a bid to alleviate tensions, the EBU recently revised its voting rules, aiming to enhance “trust and transparency” among its members.
During the current meeting, broadcasters will evaluate whether the new measures are adequate or if a vote on Israel’s participation is still necessary. ORF, the public broadcaster in Austria, which will host the 2026 event, expressed hope for reaching a consensus that would allow for maximum participation.
Calls for Exclusion Intensify
Despite the EBU’s efforts, some broadcasters remain unconvinced. Iceland’s RUV indicated last week that it would advocate for Israel’s exclusion before determining its own participation. Similarly, Spain’s RTVE has reiterated its intention to boycott if Israel is included, with RTVE president Jose Pablo Lopez stating that “Israel has politically used the contest” without facing consequences for its actions.
Slovenia’s public broadcaster has also signaled its intent to withdraw, reflected in a budget proposal that allocated no funds for participation in the contest. RTV Slovenija chief Natasa Gorscak noted that if a vote to exclude Israel occurs and results in their non-participation, Slovenia would then consider entering the contest.
The EBU’s changes come in the wake of recent contests where Israeli acts received minimal support from professional juries, yet garnered considerable backing from public votes. This pattern was evident when Eden Golan rose to fifth place in Malmö, Sweden, in 2024, and Yuval Raphael achieved second place in Basel, Switzerland, this year.
If Israel is barred from participating, it would not mark the first instance of exclusion in Eurovision’s history. Russia was removed from the competition following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while Belarus was excluded in 2021 after the disputed re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
As the debate unfolds, the future of Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest remains uncertain, with potential implications for the event’s dynamics and its member nations.
