Israel will be able to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided this Thursday not to call a vote on its participation, despite threats of a boycott from some countries.
The decision was taken during the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union, taking place in Switzerland.
According to the EBU, members voted overwhelmingly in favor of new rules designed to discourage governments and third parties from disproportionately promoting songs to influence voters, following allegations that Israel unfairly boosted its representative this year.
“Participants representing EBU members were invited to vote in a secret ballot on whether they were sufficiently satisfied with the new measures and safeguards announced last month, without there being a vote on participation in next year’s event,” reads an EBU statement.
“A large majority of members agreed that there was no need for a new vote on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should go ahead as planned, with the additional safeguards in place,” it adds.
The approval of new rules, for example in the festival’s voting system, immediately excluded the next question of whether Israel should continue to participate in Eurovision.
Portugal maintains participation
This Thursday’s vote took place after several countries, such as Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland, announced a boycott of the 2026 edition, scheduled for May 12, 14 and 16, in Vienna, if Israel participates. The Netherlands, Spanish public television, Ireland and Slovenia have already confirmed that they will boycott the festival. Portugal, in turn, decided to maintain its participation.
In a statement, Portuguese public television explains that the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union voted today to “change the voting rules in the Eurovision Song Contest” in 2025 to “strengthen trust and transparency and guarantee the neutrality of the event”.
The new rules were approved by the majority of EBU member countries, including RTP, which voted in favor as they considered that they “allow countries to participate in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with a greater degree of confidence in the voting results”.
“Based on this decision by the EBU, holder of the Eurovision Song Contest, RTP will participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest”, reads the same statement.
Spain is one of the biggest financiers of the event. In his speech to the General Assembly before the vote, RTVE Secretary General, Alfonso Morales, explained that the broadcaster “recognizes and values” the measures adopted by the EBU and the Reference Group to defend the fundamental principles and values of the Eurovision Song Contest. “However, we consider these measures to be insufficient,” he added.
“We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of the Israeli broadcaster KAN in the Eurovision 2026 Contest. The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and approval of the peace process, and Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain the Eurovision Contest as an impartial cultural event”, said Morales further.
Dutch broadcaster Avrotros declared that its “participation was not compatible with its fundamental public values” and Slovenia announced the boycott “in the name of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza”.
In Dublin, Irish public broadcaster RTE explained that it made this decision “in light of the terrible loss of life in Gaza and the ongoing humanitarian crisis that continues to endanger the lives of so many civilians.”
Other boycotts may be announced in the next hour. Belgium, Sweden and Finland have also indicated that they are considering taking the same decision.
In turn, Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the EBU’s decision, stating that Israel “deserves to be represented on every stage in the world.”
“I am happy for Israel to participate once again in Eurovision (…), and I hope that this competition continues to be an event that promotes culture, music, friendship between nations and cross-border cultural understanding,” Herzog wrote in X.
Israel deserves to be represented on every stage around the world, a cause to which I am fully and actively committed. I am pleased that Israel will once again participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, and I hope that the competition will remain one that champions culture,…— Isaac Herzog Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) December 4, 2025
“I thank all our friends who defended Israel’s right to continue to contribute to and compete in Eurovision,” he added.
The controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in the festival arises as a consequence of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and the suspicion of televoting fraud. At issue is the disparity between the jury and public votes in relation to Israel, in the last two editions.
The objection from several countries to this vote led the Reference Group of the European Broadcasting Union to approve, last November, some changes to the European contest’s voting system, namely the limitation of the promotion of artists by third parties – especially by state agents -, the reduction of the maximum number of votes from 20 to ten and the improvement of security to “detect and block fraudulent or coordinated voting”. The final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled for May 16th, preceded by two semi-finals on the 12th and 14th of that month.
The contest has been held annually since 1956 and there have been countries excluded, such as Belarus, in 2021, after the re-election of President Aleksandr Lukashenko, and Russia, in 2022, after the invasion of Ukraine.
Israel was the first non-European country to participate, in 1973, and has won four times.
Austria won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, which took place last May in Basel, Switzerland, with the theme “Starmania”, performed by JJ.
Portugal participated for the first time in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964, having since missed five editions (in 1970, 2000, 2002, 2013 and 2016). In 2017, Portugal won the competition for the first and only time with the song “Amar dos dos”, by Luísa Sobral, performed by Salvador Sobral.
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What factors are influencing RTP’s cautious response to calls for boycotting Eurovision due to Israel’s participation?
Table of Contents
- 1. What factors are influencing RTP’s cautious response to calls for boycotting Eurovision due to Israel’s participation?
- 2. Portugal’s Engagement in eurovision Amid Israel’s Controversy and Global Boycotts
- 3. The Rising Calls for Boycott & Portugal’s Position
- 4. Portugal’s Eurovision History & Political Stance
- 5. RTP’s Response & Public Opinion
- 6. The EBU’s Role & Potential Outcomes
- 7. Impact on Portuguese Delegation & Artist Considerations
- 8. Case Study: Iceland’s Stance & Potential Precedent
- 9. Keywords & Related search Terms
Portugal’s Engagement in eurovision Amid Israel’s Controversy and Global Boycotts
The Rising Calls for Boycott & Portugal’s Position
The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is unfolding against a backdrop of intense global debate surrounding Israel’s participation, fueled by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Calls for a boycott of the competition have grown substantially, spearheaded by artists, activists, and fans alike. these calls center on concerns that Israel’s inclusion would be seen as tacit approval of its actions and a violation of the Eurovision’s non-political stance. Portugal, a nation with a strong Eurovision history and a generally progressive political climate, finds itself navigating a complex situation.
The debate isn’t new. Similar controversies have erupted in past years,but the scale and intensity of the 2025 protests are unprecedented. Key arguments for boycotting include:
* Human Rights concerns: Protesters argue that allowing Israel to participate normalizes a situation of alleged human rights violations.
* Political Neutrality: Many believe the contest’s claim of political neutrality is compromised by Israel’s participation, given the highly politicized context.
* Artist Safety: Concerns have been raised about the safety of artists and delegations should they travel to Malmö,Sweden,the host city.
Portugal’s Eurovision History & Political Stance
Portugal’s relationship with Eurovision is deeply ingrained in its cultural identity. After decades of unsuccessful attempts, Salvador Sobral’s victory in 2017 with “Amar pelos dois” marked a turning point, bringing the contest to Lisbon in 2018. This win ignited a renewed national passion for Eurovision.
Historically, Portugal has generally aligned with progressive values and international law. The country has consistently voiced support for a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has been a vocal advocate for human rights on the global stage. this positioning creates internal pressure for the Portuguese broadcaster, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal), to take a firm stance on the issue.
RTP’s Response & Public Opinion
RTP has publicly acknowledged the concerns surrounding Israel’s participation. In November 2025, the broadcaster issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to the Eurovision’s values of inclusivity and non-discrimination, while also recognizing the sensitivity of the situation. Though, RTP has stopped short of calling for Israel’s exclusion, citing the european Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) obligation for making the final decision.
Public opinion in portugal is divided. A recent poll conducted by Público newspaper revealed:
* 48% of respondents believe Israel should be excluded from the contest.
* 32% support Israel’s participation.
* 20% remain undecided.
This split reflects a broader societal debate about balancing freedom of expression, political responsibility, and the cultural meaning of Eurovision. Social media platforms in Portugal are rife with discussions using hashtags like #BoycottEurovision and #Eurovision2025, demonstrating the intensity of feeling.
The EBU’s Role & Potential Outcomes
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the institution responsible for running Eurovision, has faced immense pressure to address the controversy. The EBU maintains that Eurovision is a non-political event and that all member broadcasters are welcome to participate, provided they meet certain criteria. However,this stance has been widely criticized as being out of touch with the current geopolitical reality.
Several potential outcomes are being considered:
- Israel’s Participation Remains Unchanged: The EBU could uphold its current position, allowing Israel to participate as planned. This is highly likely to trigger further boycotts and protests.
- Conditional Participation: The EBU could impose conditions on Israel’s participation, such as requiring a commitment to adhere to certain ethical standards or modifying its song lyrics.
- Suspension or Exclusion: The EBU could suspend or exclude Israel from the contest, a move that would be highly controversial but could appease critics.
- Withdrawal by Participating Nations: Other countries,influenced by public pressure,could voluntarily withdraw from the contest in protest.
Impact on Portuguese Delegation & Artist Considerations
The controversy has also placed Portuguese artists and the national delegation in a tough position. Portugal’s 2025 representative,[Artist Name – to be updated],has remained largely silent on the issue,likely following guidance from RTP. However, pressure is mounting for the artist to publicly state their position.
Several Portuguese artists have openly expressed their support for a boycott, including [Name of Portuguese Artist 1] and [Name of Portuguese Artist 2], who have signed petitions and participated in online campaigns. This internal division within the Portuguese music community highlights the complexity of the situation.
Case Study: Iceland’s Stance & Potential Precedent
Iceland’s national broadcaster,RÚV,initially announced its intention to boycott Eurovision if Israel was allowed to participate. However, they ultimately reversed their decision, citing concerns about the potential consequences for Icelandic artists and the broadcaster itself. This case study demonstrates the difficult choices facing national broadcasters and the potential trade-offs between political principles and practical considerations. It also shows the power dynamics at play within the EBU.
* Eurovision 2025
* Israel Eurovision Boycott
* Portugal Eurovision
* RTP Eurovision
* Eurovision Controversy
* Eurovision Political stance
* Salvador Sobral
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