Introduction to the Issue
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed that its 68 members will hold a digital general assembly in early November to discuss the participation of Israel in the 2026 Eurovision song competition. The decision on Israel’s participation is expected to be made during this assembly.
Background on the Decision-Making Process
According to Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, the President of the EBU, the board agreed that the decision requires a broader democratic basis. The EBU later clarified that the coordination in the participation of Israeli public broadcasting, Kane, is involved in the process. Kane has stated that the competition "will continue to maintain its cultural and apolitical identity."
Concerns and Potential Consequences
The potential disqualification of the public broadcaster Israel, Kane, is particularly worrying as the competition approaches its 70th edition, which was founded as a symbol of unity, solidarity, and scholarship. An extraordinary majority of 75% of the general assembly is required for such a decision, according to Kane. However, an EBU spokesman explained that an "absolute majority" would allow an exclusion in the vote to happen, meaning that if 35 or more members vote in favor of Israel not participating, the country would be excluded from the competition.
Positions of Participating Countries
So far, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland have officially announced that they are boycotting the event if Israel participates, while countries like Germany and Austria have supported Israel. Austria, the host of the 2026 edition, has described the boycott as "stupid and senseless," and German cultural minister Wolfram Weimer stated that excluding Israel would transform the celebration of understanding between peoples into a tribunal.
Expert Opinions
Journalist Daniel Kähler is skeptical that the majority of EBU members will vote against Israel’s participation, noting that many countries have not taken a clear stance. Dean Vuletic, an expert on the history of the song competition, describes the situation as "one of the greatest crises that Eurovision has ever been confronted with" due to its potential to divide the organization.
Historical Context
In the past, there have been exclusions, including the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s and Belarus in 2021, due to sanctions and media freedom issues, respectively. However, the decision regarding Israel’s participation has triggered "such strong divisions within EBU," according to Vuletic.
Recent Developments
A United Nations investigation commission concluded in September that Israel committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, allegations that Israel vehemently rejected. Protests against Israel’s participation in the competition have occurred in the last two events due to the Gaza Strip War. Despite the controversy, Israel’s candidate, Yuval Raphael, secured second place in the 2025 competition in Basel, with Austria’s JJ taking first place and hosting the 2026 competition in Vienna.
