So… Israel is taking part in Eurovision?

By
Mo Fanning
-
EBU
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

There will be no vote on Israel’s participation in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The EBU has decided that the Israeli broadcaster, KAN, will be allowed to take part. At least that’s what Norwegian broadcaster NRK is telling the world. Other broadcasters are available.

The NRK claim went live shortly after today’s EBU press release, announcing changes to how the voting will be managed at the 2026 Contest in Vienna. Given the nature of the internet, you’d imagine someone in Geneva might say something, or step in and correct any misunderstandings. You’d imagine, that but read on…

Ahead of the planned general assembly on December 5, the EBU had been in dialogue with all member countries. Among other things, they discussed whether broadcasters wanted a vote on Israel’s participation. The overwhelming reply from EBU paying members seemed to be ‘yes we would’.

Acting as if listening, the EBU planned an extraordinary meeting in November specifically to vote on whether Israel’s broadcaster KAN should be allowed to compete in Vienna. They issued a press release and everything. And then, that vote was cancelled in October following the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, with the EBU stating there was “a clear need for an open and in-person discussion among members”.

Here’s where it gets murky: the EBU now claims that members at the December assembly will be asked to “consider” the new package of voting rule changes and “decide if they suffice to meet their concerns around participation without having a vote on the topic”.

Austria’s ORF Director General Roland Weißmann admitted at a Vienna press conference a short while back, that the rule changes (announced today) would be specifically intended to “win over skeptical broadcasters” and convince them to take part despite Israel’s presence. 

Today, multiple sources report conflicting information – some Austrian media outlets claim the vote has been entirely cancelled, while others suggest it remains on the agenda pending the assembly’s decision.

SVT though never ones to pull punches, got in touch with ‘Geneva’ and insisted on asking if the right hand was aware of what the left was doing. The EBU replied that the vote might still happen if broadcasters didn’t feel the ‘changes’ to something largely unrelated to the ‘Israel issue’ didn’t satisfy members.

So, there you go. Trying to please everyone, ending up pleasing nobody at all.

Chapeau.

The Boycott Brigade: Who’s In, Who’s Out, Who’s Waiting

As of November 21, 2025, at least six countries have stated they will not participate if Israel competes, with several others hedging their bets until after the December assembly:

Confirmed Boycotts if Israel Participates:

  • Ireland (RTÉ): First major broadcaster to take a firm stance, citing “unconscionable” participation given the “ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza” and attacks on journalists​
  • Netherlands (AVROTROS): Cited “proven interference by the Israeli government” and stated a ceasefire would not change their position​
  • Slovenia (RTVSLO): The first to announce withdrawal, explicitly citing “genocide in Gaza” at the July EBU General Assembly​
  • Spain (RTVE): Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun called for withdrawal, though final decision rests with broadcaster​
  • Iceland (RÚV): Director General indicated likely withdrawal, with board decision made in late October​
  • Belgium (RTBF): Will decide in December after the assembly; VRT supports boycott countries​

Waiting Until December:

  • Norway (NRK): Will not boycott but demands changes to voting system and safety guarantees; 60% of Norwegians oppose Israel’s participation​
  • Sweden (SVT): Will not withdraw but requires “broad European support,” safety guarantees, and apolitical environment​
  • Finland (YLE): Position unclear, still assessing​

Strong Support for Israel:

  • Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would support Germany withdrawing if Israel is excluded, calling the debate “scandalous”​
  • Austria: Host broadcaster ORF actively working to persuade boycotting countries; State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn called cultural boycotts “dumb and pointless”​
  • France: Confirmed participation without conditions on November 16, 2025​
  • Australia: Confirmed participation, citing 40-year broadcasting tradition​

This creates an extraordinary situation: Eurovision’s host nation (Austria) and one of its biggest financial contributors (Germany) are threatening to abandon the contest if Israel is excluded, while multiple other countries threaten to leave if Israel remains. Another ‘big five’ broadcaster is ready to walk if Israel is there. Along with two of the most successful nations in the contest’s long history.

Meanwhile, the EBU is trying to paint a rosy picture by announcing the return of Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova for 2026, bringing the potential participant count to over 40 countries. This conveniently obscures the fact that losing six established participants for political reasons would be unprecedented in modern Eurovision history.​

The Kazakhstan Wildcard

In a bizarre subplot, Kazakhstan’s state broadcaster Khabar Agency used the July 2025 EBU General Assembly to formally request participation in Eurovision 2026. EBU Director-General Noel Curran reportedly said the issue would be discussed at the “next EBU meeting”—presumably meaning December. Kazakhstan has competed in Junior Eurovision since 2018 and argues its case based on geography, EU ties, and existing participation in EBU events. This conveniently provides the EBU with a potential replacement participant should boycotts materialise.​

Canada’s Unexpected Entrance

In another surprise development, Canada’s federal budget released November 4, 2025, revealed the government is working with CBC/Radio-Canada to “explore participation in Eurovision”. Martin Green confirmed discussions are in “very early stages”. As an EBU Associate Member (like Australia), Canada would require a special invitation to take part. The timing is suspicious—the EBU seems to be lining up potential new participants as insurance against boycotts.​

The “Neutral Flag” Rumours and EBU Denials

Israeli outlet Ynet reported in September that the EBU had “unofficially” proposed that Israel either temporarily withdraw or compete under a neutral flag (similar to Russian athletes at Olympics). The EBU vehemently denied making any such proposal, stating “no decisions will be made until the process concludes”. However, multiple sources reported these proposals independently, suggesting back-channel discussions are far more extensive than the EBU publicly acknowledges.​

Austria’s ORF initially welcomed the postponement of the November vote, saying it “helped maintain the unity and credibility of the contest”. But Austrian media also reported that Austria might withdraw from hosting Eurovision 2026 if Israel is excluded—an extraordinary threat that would leave the contest without a venue just months before the event.​

The December Assembly Format: Opacity as Strategy

The EBU has been remarkably cagey about exactly what will happen December 4-5. Here’s what we know:

  • The assembly will be held at EBU headquarters in Grand Saconnex, Geneva​
  • It’s a two-day event with a formal dinner on December 4​
  • Only active EBU members (not associate members) can attend the winter session​
  • The “Israel question” is on the agenda, but the format is unclear​
  • A formal vote may only occur if members decide the new voting rules are “not sufficient” to address concerns​
  • The full list of participating countries will be announced before Christmas​

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments