The future of Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is under scrutiny as member broadcasters gather for a crucial two-day meeting in Geneva starting on December 4, 2023. This discussion follows rising calls from several countries to exclude Israel due to its military actions in Gaza. Nations including Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands have threatened to withdraw from the 2026 contest if Israel is allowed to compete, reflecting deepening tensions surrounding the event.
Broadcasters from Belgium, Finland, and Sweden have also expressed their consideration of a boycott. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has been vocal about its stance, citing a “serious violation of press freedom” by Israel in Gaza. It accused Israel of “proven interference” during the previous edition of the Song Contest, where it secured second place by allegedly lobbying for international votes.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the contest, had initially planned to hold a vote regarding Israel’s participation in November. However, after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced on October 10, the EBU postponed the decision to its general assembly on December 4 and 5. In a bid to mitigate potential conflict during the meeting, the EBU recently revised its voting rules, aiming to bolster “trust and transparency” among its members.
Calls for Boycotts Intensify
During the upcoming meeting, broadcasters will evaluate whether the new measures are adequate or if a vote on Israel’s participation is still necessary. Austria’s public broadcaster ORF, which is set to host the 2026 contest, hopes for consensus to allow as many participants as possible. Yet, some member broadcasters remain skeptical. Iceland’s RUV announced last week it would push for Israel’s expulsion before confirming its own participation.
Spain’s public broadcaster, RTVE, reiterated its intention to boycott the competition if Israel is permitted to compete. RTVE president Jose Pablo Lopez stated, “Israel has politically used the contest, has tried to influence the outcome, and has not been sanctioned for this conduct.” Meanwhile, Slovenia’s public broadcaster has indicated it will not participate, as evidenced by a recent budget that allocated no funds for the event. However, RTV Slovenija chief Natasa Gorscak commented that if the assembly votes to exclude Israel, they would consider participating.
The EBU’s recent rule changes follow a pattern in which Israeli acts received limited support from professional juries but significant backing from the public vote. This discrepancy propelled artists like Eden Golan to a surprising fifth place in Malmo, Sweden, in 2024, and Yuval Raphael to second place in Basel, Switzerland, in the most recent contest.
Excluding Israel would not mark the first time a broadcaster has been barred from the Eurovision Song Contest. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country was expelled from the competition. Belarus faced exclusion the previous year after the disputed re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
As member broadcasters convene in Geneva, the outcome of this meeting could significantly impact the landscape of the Eurovision Song Contest and its future international participation.
