Eurovision organisers debate whether Israel should be barred from contest

Public broadcasters are gathered to discuss whether Israel should be barred from entering the Eurovision Song Contest because of alleged interference in the previous year’s competition and the ongoing genocidal conflict in Gaza.

Before the 70th edition of the Vienna Music Festival in May, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which brings together member broadcasters organizing the feel-good music contest, held two days of discussions on the contentious subject on Thursday.

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Should Israel participate in the next-year contest, the debate, which has resulted in threats to walk out of it if it is won by countries like Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands, had to be resolved by a vote in November.

The EBU postponed the announcement until its regular general assembly in Geneva this week, which came a few days after Israel and Hamas announced a ceasefire agreement on October 10. Israel has already violated it nearly 600 times.

Following accusations that Israel unfairly boosted 2025 entrant Yuval Raphael, who had little support from the professional jury, won second place after an apparent surge in public support, some of which was likely orchestrated by Israeli backers, the meeting will discuss new rules to prevent governments from swaying voters.

A professional jury with about 50% of the vote will be reintroduced in the semifinals under the new EBU rules. The public will vote on the remaining half.

A vote on Israel’s participation will be held if members can’t come to a consensus on new rules, according to the EBU.

Israeli broadcaster AVROTROS accused Israel of “proven interference” in the previous year’s contest while also bringing up a “grave violation of press freedom” from the Gaza war, which has resulted in the detention of foreign reporters.

Germany, a major supporter of Eurovision, has stated that it will not participate if Israel is barred. German Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer declared, “Israel belongs in the Eurovision Song Contest.”

The Israeli public broadcaster Kan announced that it is getting ready to start the contest next year and that its selection procedure will soon change. Kan added that Han will make an additional statement at the meeting regarding potential disqualification.

The Song Contest, which dates back to 1956, has around 160 million viewers, according to the EBU.