European broadcasters delay vote on Israel’s participation in next year’s Eurovision

A heated debate among European public broadcasters led the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to postpone a vote on whether Israel should be excluded from Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The decision was made during the EBU General Assembly held in London on July 3, with no formal vote ultimately conducted.

The discussion lasted for more than 90 minutes and exposed deep divisions within the union. Countries like Iceland and Slovenia advocated for expulsion due to the ongoing Gaza war, while Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, and Cyprus publicly supported keeping Israel in the competition.

Austria—which will host Eurovision in 2026—notably referenced history in its defense of Israel. “We marks 80 years since the end of World War II, and the Austrian public remembers what happened to the Jewish people,” its representative said.

The UK’s BBC abstained from backing either side and called for extended dialogue rather than immediate voting. Spain’s RTVE similarly urged the EBU to conduct a “serious and in-depth debate” in the autumn ahead of the next assembly in December, warning that Israel’s participation risks shifting Eurovision from a musical celebration to a political platform.

According to Israeli broadcaster KAN and EBU insiders, Israel narrowly avoided expulsion. The broadcaster reportedly believes that a vote held at this time would not have gone in its favor.

The matter has been deferred for review at the next General Assembly in December 2025. EBU sources cautioned that if the Gaza conflict persists, KAN could face difficulty maintaining its Eurovision membership beyond that point.

The controversy is rooted in sustained protests and criticism of Israel’s participation in Eurovision over the war in Gaza, which erupted after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. Swiss authorities reported disruptions during the 2025 contest in Basel, including threats toward Israel’s representative Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Nova festival massacre. Persian protesters interrupted concerts, and protests occurred both inside and outside venues.

Calls for Israel’s removal came from multiple broadcasters and cultural figures. More than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a petition supporting exclusion. National channels in Slovenia, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Finland, and Belgium demanded internal debates or outright suspension of Israel’s involvement in future contests.

Despite the pressure, the EBU emphasized its commitment to independence from government decisions, noting that members, including Israel’s KAN, remain eligible to participate under its charter.

The decision to delay a vote effectively maintains Israel’s current eligibility for Eurovision 2026—though only temporarily. The upcoming winter review will hinge on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and evolving political pressures. The debate highlights a growing challenge: balancing Eurovision’s tradition of cultural unity with mounting geopolitical tensions.