The Eurovision Song Contest’s organizers have announced that they will delay a vote on whether Israel should be allowed to participate in the 2026 contest, following ongoing geopolitical developments in the Middle East. The decision comes amid the war in Gaza, with Eurovision’s governing body, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), citing “recent developments” as the primary reason for postponing the planned vote.
Originally scheduled for November, the vote on Israel’s inclusion in next year’s contest will now be addressed at an in-person meeting in December, according to a statement released by the EBU on October 13. While the EBU did not specify whether a vote will occur at that time, it confirmed that the matter would be discussed at its winter general assembly.
Israel’s participation in the prestigious contest has become a point of contention among some countries, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has created division among Eurovision members. Several countries, including Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands, have stated they would consider boycotting next year’s event in Vienna if Israel were allowed to take part. These concerns have prompted the EBU to put the issue on the agenda of their December assembly to allow a broader discussion among participating nations.
The Context: The War in Gaza and Its Impact on Eurovision
The decision to delay the vote comes as Israel continues to face international scrutiny due to its military actions in Gaza, with the situation rapidly evolving in the Middle East. While diplomatic efforts, including a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, have been implemented, the complex political and humanitarian issues surrounding the region remain contentious.
On October 9, Israel successfully secured the release of 20 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The release was part of a broader ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on October 6. While the ceasefire represents a temporary halt to hostilities, tensions remain high and the global political climate continues to be shaped by the conflict. In this context, the EBU has faced mounting pressure from several Eurovision member countries, some of which have questioned the appropriateness of Israel’s participation in next year’s event.
The EBU’s Statement and Response to the Controversy
In a statement issued on October 13, the EBU acknowledged the sensitive nature of the situation and emphasized the need for further discussion among its members. The organization confirmed that, after meeting on the same day, its executive board had agreed to postpone the vote and instead bring the issue up at its regular winter general assembly, scheduled for December.
The statement from the EBU reads:
“In light of recent developments in the Middle East, the EBU’s executive board (meeting on October 13) agreed there was a clear need to organize an open and in-person discussion among its members on the issue of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.”
The delay is an attempt to give time for the situation to evolve, while also respecting the views of member countries, some of which are deeply concerned about the implications of Israel’s participation amid ongoing conflicts.
Austrian national broadcaster ORF, which will host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026, welcomed the decision to delay the vote. ORF had previously urged Eurovision members not to boycott the contest, stating that cultural events like Eurovision should remain free from political sanctions. Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger emphasized that Eurovision and the arts in general were not suitable arenas for enforcing political action or sanctions.
Countries Consider Boycotting Eurovision 2026
The issue of Israel’s participation has divided Eurovision fans and member countries. Several nations have expressed strong objections to Israel’s involvement, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader political implications of allowing Israel to compete while hostilities are still ongoing.
Countries like Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands have made public statements about the potential of boycotting Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate. These countries argue that the conflict in Gaza should influence cultural events such as Eurovision, with some suggesting that it would be inappropriate for Israel to perform given the ongoing war.
Dutch broadcaster AvroTros, in particular, issued a statement last month reaffirming its position, which has remained unchanged even with the announcement of a ceasefire.
“If a ceasefire is reached in the near future or the conflict develops differently, that will not change our position for 2026. We will reassess participation in subsequent years, depending on the circumstances at that time,” the statement read.
This suggests that the debate surrounding Israel’s participation is not just about the current state of the war, but also about how the conflict will evolve over the coming months, and how Eurovision and its participants should react to global political and humanitarian crises.
Israel’s Eurovision History: Popularity and Success
Israel’s participation in Eurovision has always been a source of debate, but the country has also been one of the most successful in the history of the contest. Israel first won Eurovision in 1978 and has since secured a total of four victories, most recently in 2018 with Netta Barzilai’s Toy. The country’s entries are consistently popular, and Israeli artists have frequently placed high in the final rankings.
In the 2025 Eurovision contest, Israel’s representative, Yuval Raphael, impressed audiences with her performance and earned second place, securing the highest combined public vote. While Austria eventually won due to the jury votes, Raphael’s performance was hailed as one of the best in recent years, and Israel’s continued success at Eurovision only adds to the controversy surrounding their potential exclusion in 2026.
Israel’s national broadcaster, Kan, has publicly stated that it believes Israel should be allowed to participate in the 2026 contest. In September, Kan reiterated that Israel’s long-standing involvement in Eurovision and its history of success made it a deserving participant.
“Israel has been one of the contest’s longstanding, popular, and successful participants,” Kan said in a statement.
However, despite Israel’s popularity and past success, the political situation and the evolving conflict in Gaza have cast a shadow over the upcoming contest, forcing the EBU to address the matter with care and sensitivity.
The Future of Israel’s Eurovision Participation
The delay in voting on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 reflects the complexity of the situation. It highlights the intersection of politics and culture, with Eurovision attempting to balance the ideals of inclusivity and artistic expression with the real-world impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
As the December meeting approaches, the debate over Israel’s place in next year’s contest will continue to evolve. The decision will ultimately rest on the discussions and votes of Eurovision’s 68 member countries, which are expected to weigh in on the matter. How Eurovision handles the issue could set a precedent for future contests, particularly as geopolitical tensions continue to influence global cultural events.
