Israel has officially expressed interest in joining Eurovision 2026 in Austria, despite growing calls from European countries to disqualify it. A decisive EBU discussion is scheduled for July in London.
The Israeli national broadcaster, KAN, officially confirmed on Saturday that Israel is interested in participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which is set to take place in Austria. The statement comes just days before a dramatic meeting of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) General Assembly, during which Israel’s participation is expected to be formally discussed for the first time.
Israel is now the 17th country to express interest in participating in Eurovision 2026, joining Norway, Albania, Denmark, Greece, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Serbia, Switzerland, Malta, Luxembourg, and host country Austria.
Calls for Disqualification: What Will Happen at the July EBU Meeting?
According to Stefán Eiríksson, Director General of the Icelandic national broadcaster, the topic of Israel’s disqualification is expected to be on the agenda during the EBU’s General Assembly in London, scheduled for July 3–4.
The Irish national broadcaster has also hinted that the EBU committed to addressing the issue immediately after the 2025 contest in Basel. Calls to remove Israel have echoed since the start of the last Eurovision season, especially following the overwhelming success of Yuval Raphael, who won the public vote with 297 points.
KAN’s Response: “We Fully Abide by All Eurovision Rules”
KAN issued a clear and assertive statement in response:
“Israel has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for over 50 years, with great success. KAN strictly adheres to all the contest rules and will continue to do so. The Israeli public broadcaster is currently preparing for the next Eurovision in Austria.”
This statement reflects Israel’s readiness to confront any political or public challenges that may endanger its participation—while also serving as a firm message to the EBU.
Widespread Public Support, Harsh Reactions from Western European Governments
Following Israel’s success at the contest, criticism was quick to come: in Spain, Belgium, Iceland, Slovenia, and Ireland, there were explicit calls for Israel’s exclusion, often using political arguments. Public broadcasters in these countries aired strong anti-Israel messages, with some accusing the EBU of selectively enforcing rules.
In Spain, RTVE called for “peace and justice for Palestine” during a live broadcast. In Belgium, an on-screen message displayed a clear condemnation of Israel. Simultaneously, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly demanded Israel’s disqualification, drawing comparisons to Russia’s 2022 ban from the contest.
What Can Be Expected from the EBU Discussion?
The General Assembly on July 3 could be decisive. However, it remains unclear whether a binding vote will take place or if the discussion will be limited to general policy dialogue. The EBU may opt for a more moderate route—such as establishing a review committee or drafting stricter codes of conduct for participating countries—without issuing an official ban. For now, Israel is expected to participate in Eurovision 2026 as planned, but the controversy is far from over.
Between Politics and Pop: What Really Determines Participation?
Though Eurovision is officially a non-political music competition, recent years have seen an influx of political statements, protests, and messaging during broadcasts. Conversations with the EuroMix community reveal growing frustration with politicization—especially when seemingly directed disproportionately at Israel, often overlooking its artistic accomplishments.
Will the EBU Succumb to Pressure? Expert Commentary
Removing a country due to political pressure—especially one that has fully complied with contest rules—would set a dangerous precedent. Even some voices within the EBU fear a public backlash, particularly given the massive public support for Israel. Historically, the EBU has preferred stability over upheaval, even amid political turmoil.
Israel and Eurovision: Record-Breaking Moments and Audience Affection
Israel is one of Eurovision’s most successful countries, boasting four victories (1978, 1979, 1998, 2018) and a series of unforgettable performances. Israeli entries receive immense exposure and support from fans across Europe, and each year, Israeli audiences report powerful, emotional experiences at Eurovision events.
Israel at Eurovision 2025
“New Day Will Rise” is the song performed by Yuval Raphael, who was chosen to represent Israel after winning the 11th season of “The Next Star.” Israel advanced to the final after winning the second semi-final with 203 points and finished second overall with 436 points in the grand final. Israel ranked first in the public vote but only 14th with the jury. This marks the third consecutive year that Israel has reached the top five – an unprecedented achievement.
Eurovision 2025: This was Israel’s 47th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the contest in 1973 and has won four times. Its most recent victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy,” performed by singer Netta Barzilai.
