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.
“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 public believes the United Kingdom should withdraw from Eurovision if Israel is allowed to participate next year”.
Findings indicate that 94% of Britons supported excluding Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, a figure that rose to 96% among Eurovision fans.
The report further notes:
“Almost three-quarters said that expelling Russia but not Israel was inconsistent”.
with the figure climbing to 80% among dedicated competition fans. Additionally,
“when asked directly about Israel, most Britons (82%) and Eurovision fans (87%) said it should not be allowed to compete in Vienna in 2026”.
The document concludes:
“If Israel is permitted to participate, 69% of respondents believe the United Kingdom should withdraw”.
Will the United Kingdom Join the Eurovision Boycott?
The director general of the British national broadcaster, Tim Davie, addressed the issue in a recent discussion. He emphasized that while concerns around Israel’s participation are understood, the BBC will work alongside the EBU before reaching any conclusion.
“Eurovision has never been about politics; it should be a celebration of music and culture that unites people. We need to see what the European Broadcasting Union decides, […] At this stage, we support the work of the EBU. They are consulting with member broadcasters, engaging in discussions, and reviewing all relevant processes to reach a final decision. It is vital that we preserve the celebratory spirit of the contest. At this moment, I support the EBU’s work and believe they should continue on this path”.
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.
United Kingdom at Eurovision 2025
The song “What The Hell Just Happened?” was performed by the girl group Remember Monday, representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision. The group finished 19th in the Grand Final with 88 points – all from the juries. While the juries ranked the group 10th, the public gave the Unoted Kingdom zero points, placing the song last.
Despite the United Kingdom’s storied Eurovision history, in the past 25 years, it has managed to reach the Top 10 only three times – in 2002, 2009 and 2022.
Eurovision 2026: This will be the 68th participation of the United Kingdom in Eurovision. The United Kingdom joined the competition in 1957 and has won it five times over the years. The United Kingdom’s last victory was in Eurovision 1997 with the song ‘Love Shine A Light’ performed by the band Katrina and the Waves.
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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.
