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No motion on Israel’s status was raised, clearing the way for its inclusion in 2026.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Countries across Europe announced on Thursday that they would step back from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed that Israel will remain eligible to participate.
The EBU held a closed meeting in Geneva to review new safeguards intended to prevent governments or outside groups from attempting to sway the vote, a response to allegations that Israel improperly promoted its 2025 entry.
No motion on Israel’s status was raised, clearing the way for its inclusion in 2026.
The decision immediately touched off a wave of withdrawals. Broadcasters in the Netherlands and Spain were the first to announce that they would quit the competition.
AVROTROS, the Dutch public broadcasting system, said the conflict in Gaza had “crossed a boundary” for its organization and argued that participation was incompatible with its core values, prompting right-wing Dutch politician Geert Wilders to call the move “antisemitism and disgusting Israel hatred in its purest form.”
Spain’s public broadcaster followed, with RTVE chief José Pablo López asserting that “sanctions against Israel… should have been adopted at the executive level rather than shifting the conflict to the assembly.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also backed the withdrawal, saying that “the same should happen with Israel” as happened with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
Ireland and Slovenia later made similar decisions. Ireland’s RTÉ said the country would neither participate nor air the event, citing civilian casualties in Gaza and concerns about press freedom.
Slovenia’s broadcaster said, “Our message is: we will not participate in the ESC if Israel is there. On behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza,” while also charging that “we are all trapped… hostages to the political interests of the Israeli government.”
Israeli leaders welcomed the EBU outcome and criticized the boycotts. President Isaac Herzog said he hopes the contest will continue to promote cultural exchange.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar wrote that “the disgrace is upon them,” referring to countries that opted out. Culture Minister Miki Zohar called the ruling “the right decision,” arguing that music should continue to bring people together.
Israel’s KAN broadcaster, already preparing for next year’s contest, said it will soon outline changes to its selection process.
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