Eurovision 2026: Debate on Israel’s Participation Postponed to December 4

Eurovision 2026: Debate on Israel’s Participation Postponed to December 4

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel in Eurovision: Discussion on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 postponed to December 4 amid Middle East developments In an official statement sent to members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), it was announced that the discussion regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which had been moved up to early November, will ultimately take place on its original date – December 4 – as part of the organization’s General Assembly. According to the EBU, this decision was made “in light of the recent developments in the Middle East” and out of a desire to hold “an open discussion with the full participation of all members.” However, the statement does not specify whether an actual vote will take place at that time, raising the possibility that the decision may be postponed – or that the vote may be canceled altogether – depending on the tone and direction of the debate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); EBU’s Position and Internal...
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Austria: “We Hope to See Israel Participate in Eurovision”

Austria: “We Hope to See Israel Participate in Eurovision”

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Amid controversy over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, and after Slovenia officially declared withdrawal if Israel competes—Austria, the host country, firmly stands by Israel! The Director General of the Austrian national broadcaster, Ronald Weissmann, announced in an interview that he “hopes to see Israel participate in the contest.” This statement carries significant weight for Israel, particularly one day after Slovenia, led by Ksenija Horvat, declared it would withdraw if Israel takes part. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Weissmann himself spoke in favor of Israel’s participation at the recent European Broadcasting Union (EBU) assembly, with Austria among the countries supporting Israel—alongside Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, and, according to some reports, also Italy. The EBU confirmed that its 95th General Assembly will take place in Geneva on December 4–5. It has not yet been confirmed whether a vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision will occur, but it is assumed the matter could be raised on December 4, the first day of...
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Political Opposition in Austria to Hosting Eurovision Due to Israel’s Participation

Political Opposition in Austria to Hosting Eurovision Due to Israel’s Participation

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Political figures in Austria oppose hosting Eurovision in their country over fears of antisemitism and security risks stemming from Israel's participation in Eurovision 2026. Markus Abwerzger, chairman of the right-wing party in Tyrol (FPÖ), is actively opposing Austria's hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest next year. In an interview with the Austrian Press Agency (APA), Abwerzger called for Austria to forgo hosting. He claims that events like Eurovision pose a real threat by increasing an "anti-Israeli atmosphere," "antisemitism," and "extreme left-wing trends" — all of which could lead to serious security problems in Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Abwerzger stated, "I am very concerned about security, especially at the venue." He added that the federal government, led by Chancellor Christian Stocker and Vice Chancellor and Minister of Culture Andreas Babler, should support his demand, noting that "there is still time for that." Furthermore, he highlighted that there is already a growing number of worrying protests and recalled that during the last pride parade in Tyrol's...
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Albania Announces Submission Window for Eurovision Preselection Songs

Albania Announces Submission Window for Eurovision Preselection Songs

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Albanian national broadcaster RTSH has announced the upcoming submission period for Festival i Këngës, including the conditions for song entries. The Albanian national broadcaster RTSH has started preparations for the 64th edition of Festivali i Këngës. This traditional festival began in 1962, and ahead of Eurovision 2004—the year Albania joined Eurovision—it became the country’s official national final for Eurovision selection. Now, the national broadcaster shares that the submission window for the festival will span the entire month of September, from the 1st to the 30th. Additionally, RTSH revealed the eligibility criteria for submission: according to Eurovision rules, the song must be new, meaning it cannot have been previously published. The song must not exceed 4 minutes, and songs produced with artificial intelligence are prohibited. All participants must be over 16 years old. Submissions should be sent to [email protected]. In June, RTSH announced that singer Elhaida Dani, who represented Albania at Eurovision 2015 in Vienna, Austria, with the song "I'm Alive" and...
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Turkey: Will It Return to Eurovision for the First Time Since Withdrawing in 2012?

Turkey: Will It Return to Eurovision for the First Time Since Withdrawing in 2012?

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Demet Akalın wants to represent the Republic of Türkiye at Eurovision — but she has conditions! What are the successful singer’s terms, and is there a chance Türkiye will come back to the contest? The Turkish singer Demet Akalın, who performed the hit "Yerinde Dur" ("Standing Still") with Sefu, announced in an interview that she is open to participating in the Eurovision Song Contest if Turkey returns to the competition, on the condition that the song is in Turkish. Akalın’s latest hit topped all Turkish charts, reached fifth place on the global trending YouTube videos list, and garnered more than 91 million views on YouTube within just one month. The announcement of her willingness to represent the Republic of Türkiye comes after more than a decade in which the country has not taken part in the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Fans on Edge — Will Turkey Return? Demet Akalın's statement raises questions about the future of...
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Junior Eurovision Star Freya Skye Shines in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires on Disney+

Junior Eurovision Star Freya Skye Shines in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires on Disney+

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Freya Skye, Junior Eurovision star, stars as Nova Bright in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires on Disney+. At just 15 years old, she captivates television audiences worldwide, making a remarkable transition from Junior Eurovision to a rising acting career. On July 10, 2025, Disney+ released the highly anticipated musical sequel Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, the fourth installment in the beloved Zombies film franchise. This energetic addition follows the adventures of Zed, Addison, Willa, and Eliza after their first year at Mountain College. But one new face is already catching everyone's attention — British singer and actress Freya Skye, who stars as Nova Bright, a key character in this exciting chapter. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision Freya Skye’s Rise to Fame with Junior Eurovision Freya Skye is not just another cast member. Now, with Zombies 4, Freya steps fully into the spotlight on a major global streaming platform, captivating audiences worldwide. At just 13, Freya represented the United Kingdom in the 2022...
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Olly Alexander Opens Up About His Eurovision Experience: “It Was Very Stressful”

Olly Alexander Opens Up About His Eurovision Experience: “It Was Very Stressful”

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Olly Alexander reveals the intense emotions he faced representing the UK at Eurovision 2024, amid political tensions surrounding Israel. "The experience was very stressful." The British star Olly Alexander, former lead singer of Years & Years and representative of the UK at Eurovision 2024 with the song "Dizzy", opens up about the complex feelings he experienced during the contest. Despite a disappointing result—finishing 18th and receiving zero points from the public—Alexander now expresses pride for the opportunity alongside admitting that "now that I’ve had a bit of time away, I’m so proud I got to do it, but it was also very stressful; it can be very vulnerable and isolating." “I’ve never had so much pressure put on a song. People are brutal anyway, but because we’re in a competition, people are really going for you. I was like, ‘God, I’m just trying to give people a fun time‘“, the singer added in an interview with the prestigious British...
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Ukraine at Eurovision: Is GO_A Breaking Up? Lead Singer Embarks on Solo Career

Ukraine at Eurovision: Is GO_A Breaking Up? Lead Singer Embarks on Solo Career

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Kateryna Pavlenko, the lead singer who brought Go_A to Eurovision fame, has departed to launch a solo career. Her exit raises questions about the group’s future - what lies ahead? Is the Band Splitting Up? Kateryna Pavlenko, the prominent lead singer of the band Go_A, has unexpectedly announced that she’s putting the group’s collaborative career on hold and embarking on a personal journey as a solo artist. The news surfaced shortly after Go_A - widely remembered for their hit song "SHUM," which secured Ukraine a fifth-place finish in Eurovision 2021 - now finds itself facing significant uncertainty. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Waves of Reactions to Her Departure It’s not every day a singer leaves a band after such a landmark achievement on the Eurovision stage. Pavlenko is regarded as one of the most beloved figures in the Ukrainian music scene, known for her distinctive voice and uncompromising spirit. Still, since the Eurovision contest, the popular band has struggled to...
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Hatred Unites: Opponents of Israel’s Eurovision Participation Only Elevate It to the Top

Hatred Unites: Opponents of Israel’s Eurovision Participation Only Elevate It to the Top

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Protests and boycott calls against Israel's Eurovision participation only strengthen its position. Why do European audiences vote for Israel? How did unprecedented support for Israel emerge? An opinion piece. The Eurovision Song Contest is meant to be a musical celebration, but in the past two years, it has turned into a stage for political conflicts, especially regarding Israel's participation. Since the announcement of the participant list, waves of protests have swept across Europe. These include public opposition from politicians, political commentary from national broadcasters, and even withdrawal of spokespersons who announce the votes. The message was clear from all sides: "There is no place for Israel in Eurovision." However, the reality proved more complex. The louder the calls to exclude Israel became, the stronger public support for the Israeli delegation grew. In fact, antagonism, boycotts, boos, and extreme rhetoric became the catalysts that united viewers behind Israel's representative. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Broad Opposition Front: Artists, Governments, and National...
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Eurovision 2025: Wave of Complaints in Spain – Israel Back in the Spotlight

Eurovision 2025: Wave of Complaints in Spain – Israel Back in the Spotlight

by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Hundreds of complaints flooded Spain's national broadcaster after Eurovision 2025, focusing mainly on Israel, while viewers also voiced concerns about the local national final, the Spanish entrant, and broadcast quality. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025, held in Basel, not only generated excitement over the music but also triggered a significant public stir in Spain. According to a report from Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, hundreds of complaints followed the event, with the majority calling for Israel to be banned from participation and for its act to be skipped during the broadcast - referencing tensions related to Gaza and ongoing international criticism. This trend has intensified since 2024, but this year, public reaction reached an unprecedented scale. Most complaints included explicit calls against Israel, including objections to the Israeli-owned Moroccanoil brand serving as the contest’s lead sponsor. Many also voiced renewed anger at RTVE's visible support for Palestinian rights. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel at the Center of the Eurovision Storm In...
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