Israel allowed to take part in Eurovision 2026 - as at least two countries withdraw
Israel will be allowed to compete in next year's Eurovision Song Contest - with two broadcasters saying they will now boycott the event.
news.sky.comHere’s the latest on Israel and Eurovision 2026:
Short answer
- Israel was cleared to participate in Eurovision 2026, but several countries announced withdrawals in protest, making the situation highly contentious.
Key developments
- Israel’s participation was approved by the Eurovision Song Contest organizers (EBU), despite ongoing debates about the Gaza conflict and concerns over voting influence .
- Following the decision to allow Israel to compete, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia announced they would withdraw from the 2026 contest in protest of Israel’s inclusion .
- The EBU introduced new safeguards intended to curb government or third-party influence on the contest and voting, in response to the controversy surrounding Israel’s participation .
Notes and context
- Coverage of the withdrawals and the response from broadcasters highlighted the competition as one of the most politically charged in Eurovision history .
- Israel’s public broadcaster and government spokespeople welcomed the decision, emphasizing cultural exchange and international friendship through music .
- Other major European broadcasters indicated they would still participate, with some indicating support for a collective decision allowing Israel to compete .
What this means going forward
- The 2026 lineup will include Israel, but with significant participation gaps due to withdrawals; the EBU’s new safeguards aim to reduce external influence on outcomes .
- The situation may evolve if additional countries reconsider their positions or if further clarifications about the safeguards are issued by the EBU .
If you’d like, I can pull the latest updates from specific outlets (e.g., BBC, NPR, or CNN) and summarize any new developments, or compile a quick at-a-glance timeline.