Greece: Left-Wing Party Raises Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026 for Parliamentary Debate

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greece’s left-wing party calls for a parliamentary discussion on boycotting Eurovision due to Israel’s participation and the boycott of 4 countires Almost a week has passed since the crucial meeting held by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva, which concluded with the decision that Israel will participate in Eurovision 2026. Immediately after the vote, Slovenia, The Netherlands, Ireland and Spain announced they would not take part in this year’s contest following Israel’s inclusion. But will they be the only ones? Just before the final announcement of the participating countries, a call from Opposition party from Greece urges a parliamentary debate on the issue - asking for a possible boycott of Eurovision. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Call from Greek Parliament A group of members from the left-wing Syriza party, including Rena Dourou, submitted a formal inquiry in the Greek Parliament to government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis. In their request, the MPs sought clarification regarding the government’s stance on the contest and...
Read More
HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 14: Four Contestants Advance to the Next Round

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 14: Four Contestants Advance to the Next Round

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 14: Last four contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Noam Pinto, Odelia Baranes, Ziv Bossidan and Omri Fils. Tonight, the fourteenth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 64 contestants have secured their place in the competition, and This was the final audition episode of the season. During tonight’s episode, four additional contestants advanced to the next stage thanks to the votes of the judges and the studio audience – One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. On Friday, the intimate audition phase will begin, after which 21 contestants will be chosen to form the main lineup. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi. Joining them this time were Netta Barzilai, who won Eurovision 2018 with the song "Toy", and Dana International, who won Eurovision 1998 with the song "Diva". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle ||...
Read More

Greece to Reveal the “Ethnikos Telikos 2026” Entries on December 20th

by Rachel Geron Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greece reveals new details about "Ethnikos Telikos 2026". Here is everything we can share The Eurovision 2026 national-final season is officially underway, bringing excitement and optimism to audiences across Europe just in time. Reports from the national broadcaster in Greece reveal new details about the Greek selection process, and today fans can finally look forward to the upcoming announcement: which artists will compete this year? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); All the Details We Know So Far According to an announcement released today by the national broadcaster, the expected date for unveiling the selected contestants and their songs is December 20.This year’s national final will be hosted by Betty Maggira, who previously co-hosted the shows in 2008 and 2009 and is now expected to present the semi-finals, and Giorgos Kapoutzidis, who returns to host the grand final after 13 years. The Greek Eurovision national final is scheduled for February 7, with two semi-finals planned for February 3 and February...
Read More
HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 13: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 13: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 13: Five contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Maya Rose, Harel Mauda, Elimelech Talaleh, Ofek Cohen, and Yaron As. Tonight, the thirteenth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 59 contestants have secured their place in the competition, and during tonight’s episode, four additional contestants advanced to the next stage thanks to the votes of the judges and the studio audience – One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. The auditions will conclude this coming Tuesday. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi. Joining them this time were Netta Barzilai, who won Eurovision 2018 with the song "Toy", and Dana International, who won Eurovision 1998 with the song "Diva". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Elad Shahar Elad Shahar, 25 years old from Tel Aviv. His mother shared that she always knew he would become a singer....
Read More
Eurovision 2026: Semi-Final Allocation Draw to be decided on January 12th

Eurovision 2026: Semi-Final Allocation Draw to be decided on January 12th

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Allocation Draw will be held on January 12th, determining which acts will compete in each semi-final Now it’s official! The Semi-Final Allocation Draw for Eurovision 2026 and the traditional handover of the keys ceremony to the host city will take place on January 12th. This event marks the first official step in the Eurovision season each year and is organized by the national broadcaster of the host nation – this year, ORF of Austria. During the draw, the participating countries will be split between the two semi-finals. It will also reveal which countries will perform in the first semi-final on May 12th, and which countries will perform in the second on May 14th, as well as whether the performance will appear in the first or second half of the evening. The details were published by representatives of Vienna on the city’s official website. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026 Draw Details At this stage, the list of participating countries...
Read More
Croatia: Did It Support Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026?

Croatia: Did It Support Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026?

by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Croatia’s national broadcaster HRT confirmed it will not boycott Eurovision 2026 in Vienna and will participate as planned, while keeping its vote on Israel’s participation secret.​ The Croatian national broadcaster HRT clarified this morning that it will not boycott Eurovision 2026 and will take part in the contest as planned. It will therefore not join Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and the Netherlands, which have announced they will boycott Eurovision in response to Israel’s participation in the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In its official statement, the Croatian national broadcaster wrote that “HRT will take part in Eurovision as usual and, as always, will broadcast the contest live.” Croatia refused to reveal how it voted regarding Israel’s participation, making it one of the few European countries whose voting stance remains unclear. The Croatian statement on the matter was deliberately vague; similar to the United Kingdom, it announced that it would support the majority decision, while stressing that every broadcaster has “the legitimate right to...
Read More
“It was absolutely crazy”: Inside the debate over Israel’s Eurovision participation

“It was absolutely crazy”: Inside the debate over Israel’s Eurovision participation

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); During a tense Geneva conference, lawyer Ayala Mizrahi from national broadcaster Kan revealed details of the debate  On Thursday, a pivotal discussion regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 took place, followed by a vote on the new regulations of the EBU. Representing Israel were the national broadcaster’s CEO Golan Yochpaz and Deputy CEO for Regulation, lawyer Ayala Mizrahi. They presented Israel’s position – which was ultimately accepted – before delegates from 68 member states at the General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting concluded with a decision approving Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Tense atmosphere at the EBU General Assembly In an interview for the program “Kalman Lieberman” on Kan News, Mizrahi described the atmosphere she experienced as Israel’s representative facing delegates from countries leading the call to exclude Israel from the contest. “It was absolutely crazy”, Mizrahi recalled. “We arrived a day earlier, even though we’d been in contact with...
Read More
HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 12: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 12: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 12: Five contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Nathan Ben Shimon, Sandy Deri, Eden Hen, Nuriel Yashar, and Rotem Sharabi. Tonight, the twelfth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 54 contestants have secured their place in the competition, and during tonight’s episode, four additional contestants advanced to the next stage thanks to the votes of the judges and the studio audience – One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. The auditions will conclude this coming Tuesday. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi. Joining them this time were Netta Barzilai, who won Eurovision 2018 with the song "Toy", and Dana International, who won Eurovision 1998 with the song "Diva", alongside her agent Shai Kerem. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Nathan Ben Shimon Nathan Ben Shimon, 20 years old from Ra’anana. He previously...
Read More
BBC Hides Vote on Israel Eurovision 2026 Participation – Unlike France & Italy

BBC Hides Vote on Israel Eurovision 2026 Participation – Unlike France & Italy

by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The BBC backs the collective decision to keep Israel in Eurovision 2026, yet refuses to reveal its own vote. Is this silence a calculated bid to dodge political fallout? While broadcasters across Europe — from France to Portugal, — unveiled how they voted regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 at the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) General Assembly, the British national broadcaster (BBC) chose ambiguity. In a formal statement, the BBC expressed support for the “democratic decision” but did not specify how it voted. The Assembly overwhelmingly approved changes to EBU regulations — 738 in favor, 264 against — allowing all member broadcasters, including Israel, to participate automatically. Yet, one detail drew attention: 120 abstentions. According to media reports, the BBC is believed to be among the key broadcasters that refrained from voting. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dilemma of Tim Davie: Between the Hammer and the Anvil The BBC’s ambiguity wasn’t accidental. The broadcaster has long struggled to balance its position regarding the...
Read More
Portugal: Drama following support for Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026

Portugal: Drama following support for Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Portugal’s national broadcaster faces internal protests after supporting Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, amid growing European calls for boycotts Over recent months, numerous voices in Portugal urged the country not to support Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. Contestants in the Portuguese national selection announced they would withdraw if Israel took part, and Spain openly called on Portugal to join its stance. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); However, during Thursday’s conference, Portugal voted in favor of the new regulations and Israel’s continued participation in the competition. Internal Backlash at RTP Following the decision, Portugal’s national broadcaster RTP now faces growing internal conflict. According to local reports, several employees have expressed strong opposition to the network’s stance and to the decision not to withdraw from the contest under the current circumstances. The employees argue that Eurovision is entering one of the most polarized and controversial seasons in its history. They urge RTP’s management to reconsider its support and align with Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and...
Read More