Eurovision Postpones Decision on Israel’s Participation Following Middle East Developments
The European Broadcasting Union has announced that organizers of the Eurovision will no longer meet online in November to vote on Israel’s participation in the song contest due to Gaza ceasefire deal, according to Reuters.
Several countries have recently threatened that they will boycott the competition if Israel takes part due to its devastating war on Gaza.
However, Austria had appealed to countries not to withdraw from next year’s contest.
“The Board agreed to put the issue on the agenda of its ordinary Winter General Assembly, which will be taking place in December,” instead of the extraordinary meeting which had been slated to take place online in November, an EBU statement said.
It also noted that the recent developments in the Middle East requires an in-person discussion among Members “on the issue of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.”
Boycotting Eurovision
In September, the Netherlands threatened to boycott Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel takes part due to the “ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza,” caused by Israeli military campaign.
“AVROTROS’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will not be possible as long as Israel remains admitted by the EBU,” Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said on Friday.
Thus, the Dutch joined a growing list of European countries that decided to pull out of the contest, se to take place in Vienna, including Ireland and Spain.
In May, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the Eurovision song contest should exclude Israel over its war in Gaza.
Russians have not been allowed to take part in the competition because of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine.
“Therefore, Israel shouldn’t either, because what we cannot allow is double standards in culture,” Sanchez said at an event in Madrid.
Related Topics:
Indonesia Blocks Participation of Israel Gymnasts over Gaza War
Israeli Cabinet Finally Approves Gaza Hostage, Ceasefire Agreement
Ireland Announces Eurovision Boycott if Israel Participates
