Slovenia Withdraws from Eurovision 2026 Over Israel’s Participation

Slovenia Withdraws from Eurovision 2026 Over Israel’s Participation

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO joins three other countries in withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 following the confirmation of Israel’s participation in the contest. Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO joins three other countries - The Netherlands, Spain and Ireland in withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 following the confirmation of Israel’s participation in the contest. The general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union has decided that Israel will participate in Eurovision 2026 after rules changes were overwhelmingly approved, with no vote required on Israel’s participation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Natalija Gorščak, head of the Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO, known for her strong political stance against Israel, told Slovenian media after the meeting: “Slovenia will definitely not take part in Eurovision. It’s certain that Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland will also not participate. Our message is clear: we will not be part of Eurovision if Israel is there. This is in memory of the 20,000 children killed in Gaza.” Slovenia Leaded Calls for Eurovision Boycott Over Israel Slovenia has been one of the most vocal opponents...
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Spain Withdraws from Eurovision 2026 Following Israel’s Participation

Spain Withdraws from Eurovision 2026 Following Israel’s Participation

by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain pulls out of Eurovision 2026 after Israel’s inclusion sparks outrage. RTVE decries “political interference,” ending 64 years of continuous participation. An unprecedented drama unfolded in Spain this evening (Thursday), as the Spanish national broadcaster (RTVE) officially confirmed that the country will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The dramatic announcement came just minutes after the general assembly vote of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva, where 738 members voted in favor of regulatory changes that allow Israel to remain in the contest. Spain has long been one of Israel’s most vocal opponents within the Eurovision arena, repeatedly conditioning its own participation on Israel’s removal from the competition. Moments before the decisive vote, Spain once again led efforts to block Israel, spearheading a campaign within the assembly against its inclusion - a motion that was not publicly scheduled for debate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain has long been one of Israel’s most vocal opponents within the Eurovision arena,...
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Ireland Joins Boycott: Official Withdrawal from Eurovision 2026

Ireland Joins Boycott: Official Withdrawal from Eurovision 2026

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, which had previously threatened to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participated, officially announces its withdrawal following the confirmation of Israel’s participation in the contest. Ireland is known for its particularly strained Eurovision relations with Israel. The Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ, firmly opposed Israel’s participation along with several other countries and previously declared: “Our position is that Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel continues to compete. The final decision on Ireland’s participation will be made after the EBU’s decision.” Following today’s general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union, where the new regulations were decisively approved and no separate vote to exclude Israel was held, Israel’s participation was confirmed and Ireland’s withdrawal officially declared. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Statement from Irish National Broadcaster RTÉ "Following today's EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTÉ's position remains unchanged. RTÉ...
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A Senior EBU Official: “Eurovision Is Dead”

A Senior EBU Official: “Eurovision Is Dead”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A senior EBU official spoke before the discussion on Israel’s participation in Eurovision, describing the tense atmosphere among delegates and outlining the demands of countries opposing Israel’s entry. At these moments, dozens of representatives from across Europe are gathering in Geneva to discuss one question stirring the continent: will Israel compete in Eurovision 2026, or will it be expelled amid growing pressure? Before the discussion, a senior EBU official described in an interview with N12 the tense atmosphere within the venue: “The atmosphere among delegates is grim, and even Israel’s closest allies are expressing frustration. We should never have reached this point. We attempted to offer Israel alternative solutions, but they were rejected. Even if Israel competes in the next Eurovision – the contest is dead. It’s been stained by politics in every possible decision”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The official illustrated a situation where Israel faces criticism from all sides during deliberations. He...
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Encouraging Message from Germany: Behind the Scenes of the Dramatic Battle Over Israel’s Participation

Encouraging Message from Germany: Behind the Scenes of the Dramatic Battle Over Israel’s Participation

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026: Germany continues to signal its support for Israel ahead of the dramatic discussion on its participation in Eurovision 2026 - What is the encouraging message conveyed from countries that were previously considered opposing Israel's participation? At the start of one of the most tense days for Eurovision fans in Israel, a statement arrives that allows a moment of breathing room - but also sharpens the extent of the uncertainty. Germany, one of Europe's most influential countries and a prominent partner of the EBU, confirms that in recent weeks it has invested extensive diplomatic efforts to ensure Israel is not expelled from the competition. However, alongside the overt support, its messages point to a complex reality, where behind the diplomatic smiles there is still no certainty regarding the outcome - an outcome that may affect not only Israel, but on the entire Eurovision Song Contest. This statement comes as the public in Israel and around the world...
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Natalija Gorščak, Director of RTVSLO: “The Discussion Is Likely to End in Israel’s Favor at Eurovision”

Natalija Gorščak, Director of RTVSLO: “The Discussion Is Likely to End in Israel’s Favor at Eurovision”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026: Ahead of the decisive moment, the director of the Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO reveals she is convinced the discussion will be decided in Israel’s favor. While representatives of the EBU gather for a dramatic debate on the future of Eurovision, Natalija Gorščak, head of the Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO, known for her outspoken political stance against Israel, gave an interview today (Thursday) to the BBC. In that interview, she claimed that, much to her regret, the General Assembly will most likely decide that Israel will participate as usual in Eurovision 2026, which is set to be held in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A ceasefire had given Eurovision fans in Israel hope that the threat of expulsion would be lifted and that Israel’s path to participate in Eurovision 2026 would be cleared. However, countries such as Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland quickly warned that they would refuse to take part in the contest despite...
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Desperate Measures by Spain: Is This Proposal Would Lead to Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision 2026?

Desperate Measures by Spain: Is This Proposal Would Lead to Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision 2026?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU is expected to decide today (Thursday) on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, while Spain is preparing one last proposal. Will this move succeed in expelling Israel from the contest? Spain is considered one of the strongest opponents of Israel on the Eurovision stage and has repeatedly conditioned its own participation on Israel’s expulsion from the contest. Today (Thursday), the annual convention of the EBU is taking place, where the member broadcasters will, among other issues, discuss whether to allow Israel to participate in Eurovision 2026 in light of the security events of the past two years. Spain, which has publicly spoken out many times in an attempt to push for Israel’s removal, is now trying to advance yet another bid, in the hope that it will finally lead to Israel’s expulsion from the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to the bid, any country involved in an armed conflict (war) would not be allowed to participate...
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Keren Peles Will Not Be Able to Submit a Song to Israel for Eurovision 2026

Keren Peles Will Not Be Able to Submit a Song to Israel for Eurovision 2026

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel at Eurovision 2026: National broadcaster “Kan” unveils major updates to song selection process. Songwriter Keren Peles will not be allowed to submit a song to the committee this year. Israel’s public broadcaster “Kan” continues its preparations for Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, publishing a series of significant updates to the mechanism for choosing the song that will represent Israel in the contest. At the same time, the broadcaster’s CEO, Golan Yochpaz, and attorney Ayala Mizrahi, Kan’s representative to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), are expected to attend the organization’s assembly in Geneva tomorrow, where the issue of Israel’s participation will be discussed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Reform in Israel’s Eurovision Song Selection Process The broadcaster has recently adopted a series of recommendations formulated by Yoav Ginai – chair of ACUM (The Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers in Israel), creator, journalist, and the songwriter of “Diva,” which won Eurovision 1998 with Dana...
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HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 11: Four Contestants Advance to the Next Round

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 11: Four Contestants Advance to the Next Round

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 11: Four contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Jenny Penkin, Anava Amoyal, Shira Ittah and Michael HarPaz. Tonight, the eleventh episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 50 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 panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Jenny Penkin Jenny Penkin, 33 years old from Tel Aviv. She has been making music for nearly a decade, as she states. The music she focuses on is primarily R&B. In addition, she teaches vocal development. She claims she would fit well in Eurovision, describing herself as an enthusiastic Zionist and sufficiently colorful. During...
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Drama: Will Germany Withdraw From Eurovision 2026 if Israel Gets Expelled?

Drama: Will Germany Withdraw From Eurovision 2026 if Israel Gets Expelled?

by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This Thursday the discussion on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is expected to take place, and according to reports – if Israel is disqualified, Germany is expected to boycott Eurovision entirely and not even broadcast it. The discussion on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is scheduled for Thurdsay as part of the European Broadcasting Union’s General Assembly. After many rumours regarding the position of the German national broadcaster ARD, and its vague response on the matter, a new report from Reuters now confirms that if the upcoming discussion leads to a vote that results in Israel’s expulsion, Germany will boycott Eurovision and will not broadcast the contest at all. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Reuters report comes after a period of ambiguity from the German national broadcaster, which has even chosen not to comment on the report itself. Many political figures in Germany have expressed strong support for Israel’s participation; the German Chancellor, Friedrich...
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