National broadcasters will hold a vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision in “early November,” a spokesperson for the song contest confirmed to POLITICO.
A growing band of countries (including Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands) have threatened to boycott the 2026 edition if Israel is allowed to take part, citing its war in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis it has caused.
Eurovision is run by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an alliance of public service media with 113 members in 56 countries.
A letter has been sent from the EBU’s executive board to director generals of all member broadcasters, to inform them about the vote on Israel taking part in 2026.
The EBU has been in talks with its members about Israel’s participation since the issue was raised at a meeting of national broadcasters in London in June. Last year’s competition was also overshadowed by controversy surrounding Israel’s participation.
The contest has long proclaimed that it is “non-political,” but in 2022 the EBU banned Russia from the competition following the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Israel’s national broadcaster, KAN, confirmed earlier this month that it is still preparing to select Israel’s representative for the contest due to take place in Vienna in May, and that there is “no reason why Israel should not continue to play a meaningful role in this major cultural event, which must remain a celebration of music and creativity, and not become politicized.”
The post Israel faces expulsion from Eurovision in November vote appeared first on Politico.
