Israel will be allowed to compete in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest – with two broadcasters saying they will now boycott the event.
The contest is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and after a meeting of its general assembly, two members told the Reuters news agency that no vote was called on Israel’s participation.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS and Spain’s RTVE immediately issued statements saying they will not participate in the 2026 contest.
Ireland’s broadcaster also previously said they would boycott the competition should Israel be allowed to take part, with Slovenia and Iceland suggesting similar.
Today, member broadcasters discussed new rules intended to stop governments and third parties from disproportionately influencing voting, following the announcement last month that the voting system had been changed over allegations of “interference”.
That came after Israeli singer Yuval Raphael received the largest number of votes from the public at this year’s contest, held in Basel, Switzerland, in May – ultimately finishing as runner-up to Austria’s entry after the jury votes were counted.
Ahead of the assembly, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said its chief executive Golan Yochpaz and representative to the EBU, Ayala Mizrahi, would present KAN’s position “regarding attempts to disqualify Israel from the competition”.
Eurovision members to discuss voting ‘interference’ rule changes – and potential Israel ban
Eurovision to change voting rules after claims of Israeli government ‘interference’
Eurovision emergency vote on Israel’s inclusion is called off
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