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.
The Arena: Beyond Europe, Beyond Contestants
Contrary to popular belief, the decision on Israel’s participation in Eurovision is not only in the hands of countries familiar from the contest. The vote will take place at the “General Assembly” of the EBU – the union’s supreme body. According to its official data, the decision lies with 68 “members,” representing 113 broadcasters across 56 countries.
This means that broadcasters from non-participating countries, such as Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Algeria, will have equal full voting rights. On the other hand, Russia, Belarus, and Libya, whose memberships are suspended, will not participate. It should also be emphasized that “associate members,” such as Australia’s SBS, do not hold voting rights at the General Assembly.
The Rules: 24 Votes per Country, the Battle Over Distribution
Here the mechanism becomes even more complicated. According to Section 15.2 of the EBU statutes, each country holds a pool of 24 votes. The manner of exercising them depends on the broadcasting structure of that country:
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Single broadcaster country: In countries like Israel (KAN), Spain (RTVE), or Italy (RAI), the sole broadcaster controls all 24 votes.
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Multi-broadcaster country: In countries such as Germany, the UK, or Belgium, the 24 votes are divided among member broadcasters. In Germany, for instance, the split is between ZDF and ARD (the umbrella organization of regional broadcasters). This means the two entities could, in theory, vote in opposite directions, partially canceling out their country’s influence.
In total, 53 countries with voting rights plus Arte (as an international member with 3 votes) will determine the outcome, for a total of 1,299 votes. Yet, one crucial open question remains: will Israel’s KAN be included in the count? According to EBU statutes, a member cannot vote on its own expulsion. However, since the upcoming ballot is defined as concerning “participation,” it remains unclear how this unprecedented case will be handled.
The Legal Dispute: 50% or 75%?
At the heart of the conflict lies the essential legal question – what majority is required to block Israel’s participation.
KAN’s position (in response to the EBU announcement): In its official response to the November vote, KAN argued that revoking the participation of a veteran member constitutes an “extraordinary decision” that significantly infringes on member rights. Based on Section 5.9 of the statutes, KAN claims such a move demands a 75% supermajority in the presence of at least three-quarters of all eligible voters.
The EBU’s position (as reported in the media): Opposing voices in the debate lean on a different legal interpretation. They argue the measure is not expulsion from the union, but a “suspension from activity” under Section 7.2.18, for which statutes do not stipulate a special majority. In such cases, the default rule applies (Section 15.3), requiring only an absolute majority – more than 50%.
The outcome of this legal question is decisive and may determine the entire ballot. While Israel’s opponents argue a simple majority suffices, the Israeli position stresses that the bar for such far-reaching decisions was deliberately set high. Achieving a 75% supermajority is nearly impossible – precisely the point Israel intends to use. EuroMix contacted the EBU for clarification on this legal matter, but no response has been received at the time of publication.
Hidden Details: The EBU’s Lack of Transparency
While the general outline of the vote is known, a fundamental layer of uncertainty remains. Section 15.2 of the statutes, explaining the allocation of 24 votes, refers to internal Bye-Laws where the exact rules are defined. These documents are confidential, not available to the press or public, and serve as a “black box” for calculating vote distribution in multi-broadcaster states.
Consequently, any balance-of-power analysis (including this one) can only rely on public information, and will never be fully definitive. This lack of transparency is a crucial part of the story, leaving much room for speculation about the real power dynamics behind closed doors.
Clashing Principles: Commitment to Inclusion vs. Exclusion in Action
Beyond the legal argument about 51% vs. 75%, a deeper conflict emerges: the EBU’s proclaimed values. EuroMix examined the internal policy documents, including “Guidelines on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion”, which stress inclusion, diversity, and non-discrimination as inherent values meant to promote “cultural dialogue” and “social cohesion.”
KAN’s argument, supported by this document, is that exclusion for geopolitical reasons directly violates EBU’s declared commitments, discriminating against an old member for issues unrelated to its broadcasting activity. The narrower the majority leading to Israel’s suspension, the harsher the contradiction with EBU’s moral stance becomes.
Political Alignments: The Boycott Bloc and Quiet Supporters
Behind the technicalities lies a political battleground. On one side stands the boycott bloc, including Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, who threatened to withdraw if Israel participates. As previously reported, Spain’s pressure, as a major financial contributor (part of the “Big 5”), likely accelerated the vote.
On the other side, reports suggest quiet support for Israel from countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, and Cyprus. The crucial swing may come from Eastern European states and the 168 votes of Arab member broadcasters, whose stance remains unannounced.
The coming weeks will be pivotal. While fans follow with anticipation, backroom negotiations, pressures, and alliances will take shape. The November vote is not just about song number 26 in the running order. It is a defining moment that may reshape the identity, values, and very future of the Eurovision project itself.
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 “HaKokhav HaBa”. Israel advanced to the final after winning the second semi-final with 203 points and finished second overall with 357 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 2026: This will be Israel’s 48th 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.
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Noy Yehoyada is an Israeli journalist and content creator at the EuroMix team since 2024, bringing a personal, feminine, and LGBTQ+ voice into the Eurovision sphere. A devoted Eurovision fan since the age of 16, she plays an active role in covering the contest—including on-site reporting at Eurovision 2025 in Basel and across European pre-party events. Alongside her writing and commentary, Noy plans the editorial schedule for the website, closely tracks national selections and song reveals, participates in live broadcasts, and creates digital content focusing on representation, musical diversity, and emotional connections.
Beyond her work at EuroMix, Noy has over six years of experience in the cosmetics and pharma industries, with a background in sales, personal consulting, and managing beauty departments. She enjoys pop, rap, contemporary art, and traveling in Europe—and especially loves songs that make her want to dance, as well as those that tell a story.
