GENEVA — Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contestthe feel-good pop music gala that draws more than 100 million viewers every year, are meeting Thursday to tackle a bitter and divisive issue: Whether Israel should be allowed to participate in the 2026 competition.
The European Broadcasting Union, a group of public broadcasters from 56 countries that runs Eurovision, is holding its twice-yearly general assembly, with some countries calling for Israel to be excluded over alleged interference in contest voting and its conduct in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Experts predict delegates won’t reach a united position on the issue at EBU headquarters in Geneva and it’s not clear whether a vote will be called. That would mean broadcasters may have to decide, on their own or as a breakaway group, whether to take part as individual countries.
“Eurovision is becoming a bit of a fractured event,” said Paul Jordan, an expert on the contest known as Dr. Eurovision. “The slogan is ‘United by Music’ … unfortunately it’s disunited through politics.”
“It’s become quite a messy and toxic situation,” he said.
The contest, whose 70th edition is scheduled for Vienna in Maypits acts from dozens of nations against one another for the continent’s musical crown.
It strives to put pop before politics, but has repeatedly been embroiled in world events. Russia was expelled in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The war in Gaza has been its biggest challenge, with pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrating against Israel outside the last two Eurovision contests in Basel, Switzerlandin May and Malmo, Swedenin 2024.
The war in Gaza has also exposed rifts in the European broadcasting world. Austria, which is set to host the competition after Viennese singer JJ won this year with “Wasted Love,” supports Israel’s participation. Germany, too, is said to back Israel.
Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain are among the countries that have threatened to sit out the contestif Israel is allowed to take part.
Opponents of Israel’s participation criticize the conduct of the war in Gaza, which has left more than 70,000 people dead, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government and whose detailed records are viewed as generally reliable by the international community. A number of experts, including those commissioned by a U.N. body, have said that Israel’s offensive amounts to genocide.
Israel’s government has repeatedly defended its campaign as a response to the attack by Hamas-led militants that started the war on Oct. 7, 2023. The militants killed around 1,200 people — mostly civilians — in the attack and took 251 hostage.
Israel also has faced allegations of interference in the voting process in Eurovision.
It’s not clear whether a decrease in violence in Gaza, where a U.S.-brokered ceasefire is holdingor EBU plans to change voting processes to guard against political interference will be enough to placate some broadcasters, which are on the fence over the issue.
EBU said that officials at Thursday’s meeting will be asked to consider that package of new measures, including reducing the number of votes per payment method, and a return of “professional juries” to the semifinals.
A vote on participation will only take place if member broadcasters decide those steps aren’t sufficient to protect the “neutrality and impartiality” of the contest, the broadcasting union said in an email on Wednesday.
Members have until mid-December to confirm their participation next year, and a final list will be announced by Christmas, it said.
Eurovision expert Dean Vuletic said that a boycott by any EU member country would be significant, because they are “not dictatorships” and are meant, like Israel, to share values of democracy, human rights and diversity.
“It would be the biggest boycott of Eurovision ever. There have been boycotts in the past, but they have been usually bilateral,” said Vuletic, author of “Postwar Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest.”
The least likely scenario, he said, would be for Israel to decide unilaterally to sit out: The country’s national broadcaster, Kan, has made no such announcement.
The fallout of a boycott could have implications for viewership and money at a time when many broadcasters are under financial pressure from government funding cuts and the advent of social media.
The countries threatening to walk away include some big names in the Eurovision world.
Spain is one of the “Big Five” large-market countries that contribute the most to the contest. Ireland has won seven times, a record it shares with Sweden, while Iceland has the highest-percentage viewing audience of any country, according to Vuletic.
The controversy over Israel’s 2026 participation threatens to overshadow the return next year of three countries — Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania — after periods of absence because of financial and artistic reasons.
“There are no winners here. Regardless of what happens — whether Israel is in or out, whether countries stay or go — it’s not what Eurovision should be. It’s meant to be joyous and about bringing people together despite our politics,” Jordan said. “Unfortunately it’s become, I think, a bit of a political football.”
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Jill Lawless reported from London.
What potential impacts could a decision to suspend Israel’s participation have on the Eurovision Song Contest’s viewership and international appeal?
Table of Contents
- 1. What potential impacts could a decision to suspend Israel’s participation have on the Eurovision Song Contest’s viewership and international appeal?
- 2. Eurovision Considers Israel’s Participation Eligibility for 2026 Contest
- 3. The Current Situation: political Pressure and Broadcasting Concerns
- 4. EBU Rules Regarding Participation & Independence
- 5. Potential Outcomes: Suspension, Conditions, or Continued Participation
- 6. Historical Precedents: Political Controversies and Eurovision
- 7. Impact on the Eurovision Song Contest
- 8. What’s Next? Timeline and key Dates
Eurovision Considers Israel’s Participation Eligibility for 2026 Contest
The Current Situation: political Pressure and Broadcasting Concerns
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is currently evaluating Israel’s eligibility to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. This scrutiny stems from ongoing concerns regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and accusations of political interference in the 2024 contest. the debate centers around whether Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, maintains the independence required by Eurovision rules. Key to the EBU’s assessment is ensuring Kan isn’t subject to undue government influence, a cornerstone of the competition’s non-political stance.
This year’s contest saw meaningful protests and calls for Israel’s exclusion, fueled by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While Israel ultimately participated with Eden Golan’s “Hurricane,” the event was marked by demonstrations and controversy. The EBU faced intense pressure from artists, activists, and even participating broadcasters to reconsider Israel’s inclusion.
EBU Rules Regarding Participation & Independence
Eurovision’s rules are clear: participating broadcasters must be free from government interference. Specifically, Rule 2.4.1 states that broadcasters must be “editorially autonomous” and “free from political intervention.” This is a critical requirement to maintain the contest’s apolitical nature.
Here’s a breakdown of the key areas the EBU is likely investigating:
* Editorial Control: Does the Israeli government have any say in song selection, artist choice, or the content of broadcasts?
* Funding & Governance: Is Kan adequately funded and governed independently of political pressures?
* News Coverage: Is Kan’s news coverage balanced and impartial, or does it reflect a government agenda?
* Compliance with EBU Values: Does Kan uphold the EBU’s core values of universality, independence, and accountability?
Potential Outcomes: Suspension, Conditions, or Continued Participation
The EBU has several options regarding Israel’s participation in the 2026 contest. These range from allowing full participation to complete suspension.
- Full Participation: If the EBU determines Kan is fully independent, Israel will be allowed to compete as usual. This is becoming increasingly unlikely given the current climate.
- Conditional Participation: The EBU could impose conditions on Israel’s participation,such as increased oversight of Kan’s editorial processes or a commitment to unbiased reporting.
- Suspension: the moast drastic outcome would be a suspension of Kan’s membership in the EBU,effectively barring Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest. This has happened before with other broadcasters facing similar concerns.
- Temporary Ban: A temporary ban for the 2026 contest, with a review for future participation, is also a possibility.
Historical Precedents: Political Controversies and Eurovision
Eurovision has a history of navigating political sensitivities. Several instances demonstrate the EBU’s attempts to balance artistic expression with political realities:
* Georgia (2009): Georgia withdrew after its song was deemed to have political undertones related to Russia.
* Ukraine (2017): Ukraine faced controversy over its song’s lyrics,which were interpreted as a reference to the annexation of Crimea.
* Russia (2022 & Ongoing): Russia was excluded from the contest following the invasion of Ukraine, a clear violation of the EBU’s values.
* Belarus (2021): belarus was disqualified due to concerns over the political situation in the country and the broadcaster’s role in suppressing dissent.
These cases highlight the EBU’s willingness to take action when it believes the contest’s integrity is at risk.
Impact on the Eurovision Song Contest
A decision to suspend or restrict Israel’s participation would have significant ramifications for the Eurovision Song Contest:
* Increased Polarization: The issue is already highly divisive, and a controversial decision could further polarize fans and participating countries.
* Boycott Threats: Some artists and broadcasters have threatened to boycott the contest if Israel is allowed to participate.
* Reputational Damage: The EBU could face criticism from both sides of the debate,potentially damaging its reputation.
* legal Challenges: Any decision could be subject to legal challenges from kan or other parties.
What’s Next? Timeline and key Dates
The EBU is expected to announce its decision regarding Israel’s eligibility in the coming months.
* Ongoing Review (December 2025 – February 2026): The EBU is currently conducting a thorough review of Kan’s independence and compliance with eurovision rules.
* Consultations with Stakeholders (January 2026): The EBU will likely consult with participating broadcasters and other stakeholders before making a final decision.
* Official Announcement (February/March 2026): An official announcement regarding Israel’s participation status is expected