Screenshot: SVT
Controversy surrounds Eurovision 2026 as Sweden’s representative, Felicia, calls for Israel’s exclusion. The Israeli national broadcaster KAN is reportedly considering filing a formal complaint with the EBU
Recent reports indicate that officials within KAN, the Israeli national broadcaster are expressing concern over statements made by Sweden’s Eurovision 2026 representative, the singer Felicia, who called for Israel to not be allowed to participate in the contest.
According to a source familiar with the details who provided the information to Euromix, the possibility of filing a formal complaint with the EBU is being examined, alleging a violation of the Eurovision Song Contest rules that prohibit using the platform to promote political messages.
A complaint against the Swedish representative might be aimed at preventing a situation where additional contestants express political stances regarding Israel following pressure from opposing groups – In explicit violation of the competition’s regulations.
In an official response received from the corporation, it was stated:
“KAN strictly maintains the Eurovision Song Contest outside of any political debate and focuses solely on music”.
The Statement That Ignited the Controversy
The controversy surrounding Eurovision 2026 comes just minutes after Felicia’s victory in the Swedish national selection, Melodifestivalen 2026. The singer was chosen to represent Sweden with the song “My System”.
During an interview with the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter, conducted at a press conference immediately following her victory, Felicia was asked about Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. In response, she stated:
“I actually do not think that Israel should participate. That is all. There are many killings happening and therefore I do not think Israel’s participation is justified. It is hard to concentrate on music when there is so much suffering”.
The statement provoked strong reactions among the Israeli public, as it comes from the representative of a participating country in Eurovision 2026 – one that is also considered a strong contender to win.
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The New Rules of the Contest
The discussion around this statement occurs against the backdrop of the EBU’s new code of conduct. On December 10th, 2024, the organization published a series of strict guidelines designed to preserve the apolitical nature of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Among the key clauses in the code are:
- A prohibition on using the Eurovision stage or competition-related activities to promote a political agenda.
- A prohibition on attacking a participating country.
- Maintaining the apolitical nature of the Eurovision Song Contest.
A source familiar with the regulations explains that the rules do not apply solely to performances on the stage itself. According to them, “The code also applies to official activities and interviews related to Eurovision 2026. If it is determined that a violation occurred, sanctions can be applied”.
Concerns of Further Backlash at Eurovision
There are concerns within KAN that Felicia’s statement could create a domino effect among other Eurovision 2026 participants, leading them to express political stances regarding Israel following pressure from various activist groups. Sources involved in the competition’s preparations note that in such a scenario, the corporation may formally appeal to the EBU, demanding the enforcement of the regulations.
Currently, Sweden is ranked sixth in the betting odds to win Eurovision 2026 – a fact that amplifies the attention surrounding the statement.
Sweden at Eurovision 2026:
“My System” is the song that will be performed by the singer Felicia, which will represent Sweden at Eurovision 2026 to be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th and 16th. The song was written by the artist herself Felicia Eriksson, together with Audun Agnar, Emily Harbakk, Julie Bergan and Theresa Rex. This is the first Eurovision entry by all songwriters.
Sweden is currently ranked 6th in the betting odds table.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Sweden’s 65th appearance in the competition. Sweden joined Eurovision in 1958 and has won the contest seven times over the years. The country’s most recent victory came in 2023, when Loreen won with the song “Tattoo”.
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Maor Heumann has been writing about the Eurovision Song Contest and following it for over three decades. He has attended five contests and has found something to appreciate in almost every possible musical genre — from the sugary pop entries that finish last in the semi-finals to the quirky avant-garde pieces that even the competition’s juries struggled to connect with. He usually prefers original languages and songs with depth over Swedish-produced English clones — though he doesn’t promise to stick to that rule.
He grew up on the kibbutz of Sara’le Sharon, who instilled in him a love for music and created his first connection to the contest back in 1993 — before most of the current editorial team was even born.
