Israel in Eurovision: According to Norway’s national broadcaster, NRK, the planned discussion on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has been cancelled, reportedly allowing Israel to compete in the contest as usual.
The Norwegian national broadcaster NRK reports that the discussion concerning Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which was scheduled for December 4 as part of the organization’s General Assembly, has been entirely cancelled. According to NRK, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has decided that Israel will be allowed to participate in the contest as usual. For the issue to be reopened for a vote, member broadcasters would have to agree that the newly approved guidelines “do not sufficiently protect neutrality and impartiality in the competition.”
It should be noted that the EBU has not confirmed the Norwegian report. Therefore, both the discussion concerning Israel and any potential vote that may result from it remain pending until such confirmation is provided. Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is therefore not yet guaranteed.
Norway’s Position and Broader Reaction
The Norwegian report followed the EBU’s announcement about voting system changes. In Norway, the changes were well received, with local media noting general satisfaction with the EBU’s decisions and confirming that Norway intends to participate in the 2026 contest as usual.
However, Norway was never among the countries that opposed Israel’s participation in the first place, stating beforehand that it would compete regardless of Israel’s inclusion. Four countries—Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands—previously threatened to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel were allowed to compete. The Netherlands even declared it would not participate alongside Israel “even in the event of a complete ceasefire in Gaza.” In addition, Iceland hinted at the possibility of withdrawal but never made an official declaration, while Belgium announced it would wait for Israel’s final participation approval before deciding its own course. None of these countries have yet commented on the latest report, with Norwegian media remarking that “it is unclear what the countries that opposed Israel’s participation think about this development.”
The final decision on Israel’s participation may still depend on developments in the political and security arenas. While the ceasefire has temporarily reduced pressure on Israel’s participation, renewed conflict in Gaza could again shift the situation. In the meantime, the debate surrounding Israel’s presence in Eurovision continues to stir tension across Europe, placing Eurovision 2026 before one of the most significant tests in its history—whether it can uphold its apolitical character and cultural values or succumb to external pressures.
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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Ofek Jerassi is an Israeli reporter, editor, content creator, and commentator, specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He has developed his extensive expertise since childhood, becoming a close follower of the contest. For the past three years, he has served as a writer and editor for EuroMix—Israel’s largest Eurovision website and one of the world’s leading platforms in the field, with over 1.5 million users annually.
Ofek covered Eurovision 2025 on-site in Basel from the press center in the host city, providing EuroMix readers with firsthand experiences, professional analysis, and exclusive reactions from the audience, artists, and experts. His in-depth knowledge and broad familiarity with the Eurovision world are evident in every article, ensuring reliable, professional, and up-to-date content.
In his personal life, Ofek is a medic and avid traveler. He writes out of a genuine love for Eurovision, placing strong emphasis on credibility, professional commentary, and presenting a diverse range of opinions.
