Austria Threatens too Withdraw as Eurovision 2026 Host if Israel is Barred
VIENNA, Austria – Austria is signaling it may withdraw from hosting the 2026 Eurovision song Contest if Israel is excluded from the competition, adding to mounting pressure surrounding the event amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Chancellor Christian Stocker and members of his right-wing Austrian People’s Party are urging Austria’s public broadcaster and the city of Vienna to reconsider hosting should a planned boycott of Israeli participation materialize.
the potential withdrawal comes as several European nations – including Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, and iceland – have indicated they will not participate in next year’s contest if Israel is allowed to compete. though, Austria is taking a firm stance against what it views as potential discrimination.”It’s unacceptable that we, of all people, should prohibit a Jewish artist from coming to Vienna,” a representative of the Austrian People’s Party told the austrian news outlet oe24.
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig echoed this sentiment, stating that excluding Israel would be “a serious mistake,” though no formal decision to withdraw hosting rights has been made. Should Vienna ultimately pull out, Austrian broadcaster ORF could face a financial penalty of up to 40 million euros (approximately $46 million) owed to the new host country.
The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, is scheduled to vote in November on whether Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN, will be permitted to participate.While the EBU has previously resisted calls for Israel’s exclusion, pressure has intensified this year.
Austria’s position aligns wiht recent statements from Germany, where Chancellor friedrich Merz said Sunday that Germany would also skip the contest if Israel is boycotted, calling the discussion itself a “scandal.” He affirmed his support for a voluntary German withdrawal should the boycott take effect, according to German news outlet The Spiegel.
