The War Is Not Over: AVROTROS Will Vote For Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision 2026 Despite Gaza Ceasefire

The War Is Not Over: AVROTROS Will Vote For Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision 2026 Despite Gaza Ceasefire

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS insists Israel must be expelled from Eurovision 2026, citing Gaza and press freedom, even if a ceasefire with Hamas materializes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Netherlands will maintain its support for Israel’s expulsion from Eurovision 2026 even if a ceasefire with Hamas is reached, according to a spokesperson for the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS. He emphasized that Israel has no place in the contest. "Our Position Will Not Change" Trump’s plan, whose details were released yesterday, sparked hope among Eurovision fans in Israel that the threat of expulsion would be lifted and Israel’s path to Eurovision 2026 would be secured. The countries that previously called for Israel’s removal justified their stance by referring to the humanitarian situation and the decline in press freedom, raising expectations that an end to the war would render these threats irrelevant. However, the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS quickly clarified that its position remains firm, and even if a ceasefire agreement is finalized,...
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Record in Finland: 491 Songs Submitted for UMK 2026!

Record in Finland: 491 Songs Submitted for UMK 2026!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland’s national broadcaster YLE reveals that 491 songs have been submitted for "UMK 2026". Hints about participants were published, with the full list to be revealed on January 14th. Finland’s national broadcaster YLE reveals new details about UMK 2026. The broadcaster announced that the competition will take place on February 28th, 2025, at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland’s third-largest city. It was also disclosed that a record 491 songs were submitted this year, six more than last year, marking the highest number since the selection adopted its current format in 2020. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland's Songs Submissions Reach a Record High In recent years, Finland’s national broadcaster has reported a consistent rise in submissions for UMK: UMK 2026 – 491 songs UMK 2025 – 485 songs UMK 2024 – 419 songs UMK 2023 – 363 songs UMK 2022 – 312 songs UMK 2021 – 278 songs UMK 2020 – 426 songs The broadcaster also...
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Encouraging Trend: Denmark Joins Support for Israel’s Participation in Eurovision?

Encouraging Trend: Denmark Joins Support for Israel’s Participation in Eurovision?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Here for music and culture": Denmark declares it will not support expelling Israel from Eurovision 2026, reinforcing international voices favoring Israel's continued participation in the contest. In times when the future of Israel’s participation in Eurovision remains clouded, every international statement is felt as either hope or concern. Last week, it was announced that the EBU decided to move forward the general assembly vote that will determine whether Israel continues to be part of Europe’s biggest stage – Eurovision 2026, set to take place in Vienna, Austria. While many Israeli fans wonder whether the nation will appear or be absent from this historic event, Denmark has now chosen to join the wave of support for Israel’s participation, declaring that it will not support a boycott or removal. is this a small hint of the atmosphere to be expected in the decisive assembly, or merely a temporary reassurance for Eurovision fans rallying behind the Israeli flag? (adsbygoogle...
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Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Fate: EBU Vote and Legal Battle

Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Fate: EBU Vote and Legal Battle

by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Israel’s Eurovision 2026 fate rests on a landmark EBU vote, with legal disputes, alliances, and transparency issues shaping the dramatic outcome. The announcement of moving forward the vote on Israel’s fate in Eurovision 2026 to early November left the fan world tense and alert. Now that the initial picture is clearer, more complex questions arise: How will this vote actually be conducted? Who is sitting at the decision-making table, and what weight does each voice carry? The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) faces one of the greatest crises in its history, and the outcome will be determined in a diplomatic and legal battle where every detail matters. Yet, a close examination of the rules reveals that Israel’s removal will not be simple, and Israel has powerful legal arguments that may tip the scales. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Arena: Beyond Europe, Beyond Contestants Contrary to popular belief, the decision on Israel’s participation in Eurovision is not only...
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“Every Arena Is Important”: President Herzog Responds to Calls to Exclude Israel from Eurovision

“Every Arena Is Important”: President Herzog Responds to Calls to Exclude Israel from Eurovision

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Amid European boycott threats, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed delegitimization efforts against Israel at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and independent public broadcaster. Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke in an interview on the radio program “Kalman Liberman” on Kan Reshet Bet about the importance of public broadcasting and Israel’s future at Eurovision. His remarks come against the backdrop of calls to exclude Israel from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. Eurovision: More Than Just a Musical Stage Regarding the wave of calls to boycott Israel at Eurovision, Herzog said: “I have seen dangerous processes that start at Eurovision and end elsewhere. The delegitimization of Israel and attempts to exclude us from every possible arena - these are moves intended to weaken us. It starts with Eurovision but extends to things that are vital to us. Every arena is important”. He noted in the interview that the public broadcaster KAN is doing its utmost to keep Israel...
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Official: Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Representative to Be Chosen via “HaKokhav HaBa”!

Official: Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Representative to Be Chosen via “HaKokhav HaBa”!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   After Yuval Raphael’s success at Eurovision 2025, KAN 11 and Keshet 12 will continue their collaboration to select Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria through “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision”. Now it’s official: Although Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision remains uncertain following threats by some countries to withdraw if Israel competes, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation and Keshet have agreed to extend their collaboration ahead of Eurovision 2026. The agreement guarantees the continuation of the popular show “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision”, which will select Israel’s representative for the competition in Vienna, Austria. Filming is expected to begin at the end of October, with the season scheduled to air in mid-November. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Continued Success The decision to continue this partnership for the ninth consecutive year comes in light of the remarkable achievement of Yuval Raphael, Israel’s Eurovision 2025 representative, who finished in second place with her song “New Day Will Rise”. Raphael, chosen through the previous...
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“Three Decades of Spreading Light”: Dana International Honored at TLVFest 2025 with Special Award

“Three Decades of Spreading Light”: Dana International Honored at TLVFest 2025 with Special Award

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Eurovision star Dana International to receive honorary award at TLVFest 2025 for three decades of cultural impact and LGBTQ+ visibility Dana International, winner of Eurovision 1998 and one of the most influential figures in Israeli music and LGBTQ+ culture, will receive this year a special honorary award at the 20th edition of the TLVFest LGBTQ+ Film Festival. The festival will open on October 23rd at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque and take place across Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Haifa until November 2nd. Groundbreaking Career The festival’s steering committee explained that the award is being presented to Dana for three decades of musical and cultural contributions, as well as for being a pioneering voice for LGBTQ+ visibility in Israel and worldwide. Dana began her career in the late 1980s performing drag shows at gay clubs, long before this culture was widely recognized. In 1992, she broke through with the single “Sa’ida Sultana", which led to a successful debut album and her second, “Umpatampa"....
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The United Kingdom Already Preparing: Eurovision 2026 Party to Be Held on April 19th

The United Kingdom Already Preparing: Eurovision 2026 Party to Be Held on April 19th

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); New updates from the United Kingdom on the traditional London party. The 17th edition is expected to return, joining the lineup of promotional events leading into Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. You can already mark your calendars: the London Eurovision Party will return this year as an integral part of the promotional events that accompany the contest each spring. This will be the 17th edition of the party, which over time has become a central landmark of the Eurovision season. As always, it is expected to bring together artists, songs, and fans under one roof, just before official rehearsals begin for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. The party will be held on Sunday, April 19th, 2026. Further details on the exact venue and ticket sales will be revealed soon. Last year, the event took place at HERE at Outernet in London, where no fewer than 21 Eurovision 2025 participants performed. Among them was the band Remember Monday, who represented the United Kingdom,...
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Spain: Around 900 Songs Submitted for Benidorm Fest 2026!

Spain: Around 900 Songs Submitted for Benidorm Fest 2026!

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 870 songs were submitted to RTVE for Benidorm Fest 2026, which will take place on February 14th RTVE closed on Wednesday the submission window for entries to Benidorm Fest 2026, the Spanish Eurovision pre-selection. According to the national broadcaster, around 900 songs were received, nearly 350 of them within the final 24 hours. This marks a lower number compared to last year, when approximately 1,000 songs were submitted, but still higher than the 825 entries received in 2024. Rising Popularity and Audience Success The overwhelming success of Benidorm Fest 2025 has clearly influenced the interest in the next edition. The number of submissions for Benidorm Fest 2026 remains impressively high due to the competition’s rapidly growing public appeal. The 2025 final, which topped television ratings throughout the week, was a massive success with a 17.1% viewing share and around 1,938,000 viewers. That made it the second most-watched edition in the festival’s history. At peak broadcast moments, nearly 5 million people...
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United Kingdom: 82% of The Citizens Want Israel Out of Eurovision 2026

United Kingdom: 82% of The Citizens Want Israel Out of Eurovision 2026

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Although it is not yet clear how the British national broadcaster BBC will vote in November on Israel’s participation in Eurovision, a new poll claims: most citizens want Israel expelled from the contest. In a newly published poll conducted in the United Kingdom, the public was asked: should Israel be expelled from Eurovision 2026? This comes despite the fact that the British national broadcaster, the BBC, has not yet taken a definitive position on the matter. According to the results, a significant majority opposes Israel’s continued participation. A total of 1,093 respondents - including casual viewers and Eurovision fans - were surveyed. They were also asked to compare Israel’s situation to the exclusion of Russia in 2022. The findings are presented below. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Expelling Russia, But Not Israel Was Inconsistent" The press release issued by the polling institute Find Out Now stated: “A dramatic poll has found that an overwhelming majority of the British...
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