Israel approved to compete in 2026 Eurovision despite protest from 4 countries

GENEVA On Thursday, December 4, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed Israels eligibility to compete in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. In response, broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia announced their withdrawal, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza as the reason, sparking one of the most contentious episodes in the competition's history.

The broadcasters expressed outrage over the human toll in Gaza, accusing Israel of violating the contest's principles of neutrality. Israel, in turn, denounced these criticisms as part of a coordinated international campaign to undermine its reputation.

Following a meeting in Geneva, the EBU decided against holding a vote on Israels participation. Instead, it introduced new guidelines designed to prevent government influence from affecting the contests fairness. Immediately afterward, the Dutch, Spanish, Irish, and Slovenian broadcasters confirmed they would not send contestants, leaving millions of viewers worldwide without entries from these countries.

Israeli officials celebrated the decision. Golan Yochpaz, CEO of the Israeli broadcaster KAN, called the withdrawal attempts a cultural boycott, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the nations pulling out, stating on X: The disgrace is upon them.

The Eurovision Song Contest, which began in 1956, attracts around 160 million viewers, surpassing even the U.S. Super Bowl audience. Israels participation has reignited debate about the contests political dimensions, as Eurovision has long intersected with national and international tensions.

The 2025 Israeli representative, Yuval Raphael, had performed at the Nova music festival, which was targeted in the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that triggered the Gaza conflict. That assault resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in Israel and over 70,000 in Gaza according to local health authorities.

RTE, Irelands public broadcaster, described its withdrawal as a moral stance against the appalling loss of lives in Gaza. Similarly, Spains RTVE criticized the contest for being dominated by geopolitical interests. Other broadcasters, including Slovenia, Montenegro, Turkey, Algeria, and Iceland, had requested a vote on Israels inclusion, which the EBU did not conduct.

Public reactions were divided. In Tel Aviv, Eurovision fans expressed disappointment at missing entries from other countries, while in Vienna, supporters of Israels participation highlighted the importance of separating politics from cultural events. Bernhard Kleemann, a Viennese resident, remarked: If countries decide not to participate because they condemn the government, thats their choice.

Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, following militant attacks, have further inflamed tensions, with the Gaza health ministry reporting significant casualties, including children and women.

The EBU emphasized that the new rules would ensure all participating countries comply with regulations preventing governmental or third-party interference in song promotion. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed hope that the contest would continue to celebrate culture, music, [and] friendship between nations.

Germany, a strong Eurovision supporter, had signaled it would withdraw if Israel were excluded. German Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer welcomed the decision, asserting: Israel belongs to the Eurovision Song Contest like Germany belongs to Europe.

Contest director Martin Green reflected on Eurovisions mission, noting: Eurovision was born from the ashes of the Second World War. It was designed to bring us together. Though challenges arise, we hope this situation is temporary, and we will move forward.

Author: Olivia Parker