Eurovision Clears Israel for 2026 Contest as 4 Broadcasters Quit Over Gaza War

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the EBU’s decision, while Dutch, Irish, Slovenian and Spanish broadcasters announced a boycott.
Eurovision Clears Israel for 2026 Contest as 4 Broadcasters Quit Over Gaza War
Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, on May 17, 2025. Denis Balibouse/Reuters
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The organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest have confirmed Israel will be allowed to participate in next year’s competition, rejecting calls from several European broadcasters to bar the country over its role in the Gaza conflict. At least four public broadcasters withdrew from the competition following the decision.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs Eurovision, said on Dec. 4 that its members voted to support new reforms rather than voting on Israel’s eligibility.
Evgenia Filimianova
Evgenia Filimianova
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Evgenia Filimianova is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of international stories, with a particular interest in foreign policy, economy, and UK politics.