Members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will meet today to discuss Israel’s involvement in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The meeting at Eurovision’s organisers’ headquarters in Geneva will address the new rules intended to stop governments and third parties from disproportionately influencing voting.
Should members not be convinced about the new rules, there may be a vote on Israel‘s participation in 2026.
In November, the EBU changed the voting system for the song contest over allegations of “interference” from the Israeli government.
That came after Israeli singer Yuval Raphael received the largest number of votes from the public in this year’s contest, ultimately finishing as runner-up to Austria’s entry after the jury votes were counted.
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After the final in May, Irish broadcaster RTE requested a breakdown in voting numbers from the EBU, while Spain’s public broadcaster, Radio Television Espanola, called for a “complete review” of the voting system to avoid “external interference”.
Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS added in September that there had been “proven interference by the Israeli government during the last edition of the Song Contest, with the event being used as a political instrument”.
Their statement did not elaborate on the means of “interference”.
Israeli broadcaster still preparing entry
Israel has not commented on the accusations regarding voting for the contest, which stresses its political neutrality, but it has frequently claimed that it faces a global smear campaign.
KAN, the Israeli public broadcaster, also said it is preparing for next year’s Eurovision content.
It added it will present its position on possible disqualification at the meeting.
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Boycotts threatened over war in Gaza
It comes after Slovenia and broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Iceland issued statements earlier this year saying they would consider boycotting the contest next year if Israel was allowed to enter over the war in Gaza.
In September, officials from the EBU announced plans for an emergency vote on Israel’s participation, with president Delphine Ernotte-Cunci saying “given that the union has never faced a divisive situation like this before”. The board agreed it “merited a broader democratic basis for a decision”.
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That was then called off in October after Israel and Hamas agreed to the US-backed peace plan for Gaza.
More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s war in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
It was sparked by the 7 October 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza.
