With another furing declaration: Slovenia, which had already threatened to withdraw if Israel participates, has now officially turned it into a condition – if Israel is in, Slovenia is out.
The Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO announced this morning (Saturday) that if Israel competes in Eurovision 2026, Slovenia will withdraw entirely. Led by director general Ksenija Horvat, the broadcaster has been one of the most prominent voices in Europe pushing anti-Israeli positions. In the past, its rhetoric has even bordered on antisemitism – an approach that resurfaces once again here.
“Israel Conflicts with the Values of the Contest”
As early as July, during a conference in London, representatives of the Slovenian national broadcaster declared:
“If Israel participates in the Eurovision Song Contest – due to the genocide in Gaza’– Slovenia will not take part in the event”.
The broadcaster’s official statement today has now made that position binding.
This reflects the broadcaster’s consistent policy. Already back in 2024, its leadership expressed hesitation and criticism regarding further collaboration with Israel in Eurovision.
In the official declaration issued by the national broadcaster, RTVSLO, the following was written:
“The Eurovision Song Contest is a competition built on peace, equality, and respect among nations. The Slovenian national broadcaster questions whether these values are compatible with Israel’s participation. We are also deeply concerned about the killing of more than 200 independent journalists in Gaza. We express sympathy for the families in Israel waiting for the return of their loved ones, and for all those who long for peace”.
The Assembly Is Moved Forward
The EBU announced that an extraordinary general assembly of its members will be held online at the beginning of November – earlier than expected. This signals considerable importance attached to the issue. The vote will determine whether Israel will be allowed to take part in Eurovision 2026. At this point, it remains unclear whether a special 75% majority will be required, or if a simple 51% majority will suffice.
In a letter signed by the EBU President, Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, and sent to its members, it was highlighted that the recent round of deliberations revealed “an unprecedented range of opinions” regarding Israel’s participation. This diversity of views prevented the reaching of internal consensus. Consequently, it was decided to turn to the democratic mechanism of holding a full assembly in which all members will vote. The official invitation with full details will be circulated next week.
Slovenia at Eurovision 2025
“How Much Time Do We Have Left” is the title of the song performed by singer Klemen in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025. Slovenia failed to qualify for the grand final, after two consecutive years of success. The country finished 13th out of 15, earning only 23 points.
Eurovision 2025: This was Slovenia’s 30th participation in Eurovision. Slovenia joined the competition in 1993 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 1995 and Eurovision 2001 after finishing seventh twice.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
