Eurovision Faces Contentious Vote on Israel’s 2026 Participation
Vienna - The European broadcasting Union (EBU) is bracing for a potentially divisive decision regarding Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, as calls for it’s exclusion intensify amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. A planned vote on the matter, originally scheduled for November, was postponed following the ceasefire declaration on October 10th.
The debate highlights a growing tension between the contest’s apolitical stance and mounting pressure to address human rights concerns. Spain,a major funding contributor to Eurovision and one of the “Big Five” nations,has threatened to withdraw if Israel is allowed to compete,alleging political exploitation of the event.
“I keep thinking that Eurovision is a contest, but human rights are not a contest,” stated José Manuel Pérez Tornero, President of spanish broadcaster RTVE, to a parliamentary commission. He described Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “genocide,” deeming its participation “untenable.”
Israel refutes accusations of genocide, while Hamas-run health authorities report a death toll exceeding 70,000 in Gaza.
ORF Director General Roland Weissman, whose Austrian broadcaster will host the 2026 contest in Vienna, recently visited Israel, meeting wiht its Eurovision team and president Isaac Herzog. He publicly affirmed that Israel is “an inseparable part of Eurovision.”
However, other broadcasters disagree. Sources indicate that a prosperous vote to exclude Israel could prompt Germany to withdraw its broadcast of the contest. Israeli broadcaster KAN maintains its full compliance with EBU rules and believes discussions regarding its exclusion are unwarranted, proactively issuing a press release on Wednesday confirming preparations for the 2026 competition ahead of the EBU’s general meeting.
