The organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest, the annual pop music spectacle watched by over 100 million people, are facing a profound political rift. On Thursday, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is holding a critical general assembly in Geneva to address a bitterly divisive question: whether Israel should be allowed to compete in the 2026 edition of the contest.
A Contest Divided by Politics
The EBU, an alliance of public broadcasters from 56 countries, finds itself at the centre of a storm. Several member nations are calling for Israel's exclusion, citing its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza and allegations of interference in the contest's voting process. Experts, however, predict the delegates will not reach a unified stance, potentially leaving individual broadcasters to make their own fraught decisions about participation.
"Eurovision is becoming a bit of a fractured event," observed Paul Jordan, a contest expert known as Dr. Eurovision. "The slogan is 'United by Music'... unfortunately it's disunited through politics." He described the situation as "quite a messy and toxic."
The 70th edition is set for Vienna in May, but the shadow of the Gaza war looms large. Pro-Palestinian protests marked the last two contests in Basel, Switzerland, and Malmo, Sweden, in 2024 and 2025. The conflict has also split the European broadcasting community. While host nation Austria and Germany are said to support Israel's participation, a significant bloc—including Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain—has threatened to sit out if Israel takes part.
The Stakes of a Potential Boycott
The implications of a boycott are substantial. Eurovision expert Dean Vuletic noted that a walkout by any EU member would be historically significant, as these nations are meant to share democratic values with Israel. "It would be the biggest boycott of Eurovision ever," said Vuletic, author of "Postwar Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest."
The countries threatening to leave are not minor players. Spain is part of the "Big Five" that funds the contest significantly. Ireland holds a record seven wins, and Iceland boasts the highest per-capita viewership. Their absence would hit both the event's prestige and its finances at a time when broadcasters are already under pressure.
This controversy threatens to overshadow the planned return of Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania in 2026 after absences for financial and artistic reasons.
Possible Paths Forward
The EBU has proposed a package of new measures to placate concerned members, aimed at safeguarding the contest's "neutrality and impartiality." These include reducing votes per payment method and reintroducing professional juries to the semi-finals. Officials at Thursday's meeting will review these steps.
The union stated that a vote on Israel's participation will only occur if members deem the new safeguards insufficient. Members have until mid-December to confirm for 2026, with a final list expected by Christmas. The least likely scenario, according to Vuletic, is for Israel's broadcaster, Kan, to voluntarily withdraw, as it has given no indication of doing so.
Ultimately, the crisis strikes at the heart of Eurovision's identity. "There are no winners here," concluded Paul Jordan. "Regardless of what happens—whether Israel is in or out, whether countries stay or go—it's not what Eurovision should be. It's meant to be joyous and about bringing people together despite our politics. Unfortunately it's become, I think, a bit of a political football."
