UEFA Vote Could Expel Israel, Impact Eurovision Participation in Vienna 2026

UEFA Vote Could Expel Israel, Impact Eurovision Participation in Vienna 2026

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Qatar is pushing to bring Israel's expulsion to a vote tomorrow in one of the world’s most influential sports unions. Could this affect Eurovision? Israel is facing an unprecedented international threat: tomorrow (Tuesday), UEFA, the European football confederation, is expected to vote on expelling Israel from all international competitions. Pressure has mounted since the assassination attempt on Hamas leaders in Qatar – one of the main funders of the sports organization – which is actively pushing to expand the boycott against Israel. According to estimates, most member states support expulsion, but Germany and Hungary are opposing the move. Germany may even exercise its veto power, a step that could delay the vote, though it would not eliminate the looming threat over Israeli sports. Commentators warn that this anti-Israeli momentum could spread to other organizations such as FIBA, the international basketball federation, and the International Olympic Committee. The Russian Precedent Fears in Israel are growing considering the Russian precedent. After Russia’s invasion...
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Kaja Kallas, Senior EU Official Stands by Israel: “Boycotting Eurovision Is the Wrong Step”

Kaja Kallas, Senior EU Official Stands by Israel: “Boycotting Eurovision Is the Wrong Step”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); While some European countries threaten to boycott Eurovision, Kaja Kallas, a senior EU official, expresses clear support for Israel, stressing that a boycott is a mistake. The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Kaja Kallas, addressed this week the statements made by Slovenia, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Spain and clarified that measures such as boycotting Eurovision 2026 to protest Israel’s military actions in Gaza are a mistake that will not achieve their intended purpose. "All these measures, which in practice aim to punish the people of Israel, in my view are misguided, and we do not support them". She said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Despite her statement, the European Union has introduced a series of measures against Israel, including sanctions on what it described as "extremist ministers in the government", notably Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, as well as the revocation of customs benefits for Israeli products. In her remarks, Kallas emphasized that the goal is to...
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No Longer Taken for Granted: More Countries Clarify – We Will Not Boycott Israel at Eurovision

No Longer Taken for Granted: More Countries Clarify – We Will Not Boycott Israel at Eurovision

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The debate over Israel’s Eurovision participation intensifies. While some push for boycotts, Malta and Australia confirmed they will compete in Eurovision 2026 regardless of Israel’s inclusion. The debate over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 continues to draw in more and more countries across Europe, and now even beyond. Malta and Australia both released official statements yesterday (Tuesday) regarding their planned participation in this year’s Eurovision. Following the controversy sparked by Spain, which declared it would withdraw if Israel is not excluded, the positions emerging from Malta and Australia bring a refreshing and significant counterpoint. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Malta: "Eurovision is a Place for Dialogue" Malta’s Minister of Culture, Owen Bonnici, told the "Times of Malta" that his country will not join calls to boycott Israel. According to him, the contest should encourage a “culture of dialogue” and serve as a space for understanding and attentive listening between nations. Bonnici clarified: “I completely condemn the actions of the Israeli government, but...
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Spain Will Withdraw From Eurovision 2026 if Israel Participates

Spain Will Withdraw From Eurovision 2026 if Israel Participates

by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain confirms withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates. Why does Spain matter more than others? Should Israel be scared? The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE has confirmed that Spain will withdraw from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, if Israel participates in it. Spain is the fourth country to deliver such statement after Slovenia, Ireland and the Netherlands. The Spanish statement is an important one, that can be a game-changer against Israel. Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun was the first one to suggest that the broadcaster should withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is not disqualified. Urtasun joins his party colleagues in sharp criticism of Israel, including Yolanda Diaz, Minister of Labor and Deputy Prime Minister under Pedro Sanchez, who also declared opposition to Israel’s participation, and Sira Rego, Minister for Children and Youth, who has taken a clear anti-Israel stance on behalf of the Spanish government. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The broadcaster has already submitted its preliminary application for...
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Germany Issues Statement on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026

Germany Issues Statement on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026: As a “Big 5” country, Germany holds significant influence in the contest. Will it use this to back Israel or remain neutral? Germany makes a new statement on Israel In the past week, several European countries announced that they will not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel remains in the competition. Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands declared their withdrawal under such circumstances, while Iceland and Spain hinted they may also join the boycott.  This year, as the Eurovision Song Contest moves closer to Vienna, Israel finds itself at the center of a storm of declarations, boycotts, and threats that could disrupt one of Europe’s most beloved cultural traditions. The question now looming: What is the future of Israel in the contest? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});  Eurovision Bubble in Turmoil: Boycotts and Criticism The possibility of Israel being excluded currently dominates the “Eurovision bubble.” National broadcasters in several countries have not hesitated to...
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What Is the BBC’s Position on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026?

What Is the BBC’s Position on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026?

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Amid announcements by several European countries threatening to boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, BBC Director-General shared his stance before the UK Parliament. Will the United Kingdom join the boycott against Israel? In the past week, several European countries announced that they will not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel remains in the competition. Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands declared their withdrawal under such circumstances, while Iceland and Spain hinted they may also join the boycott. The Director-General of the British national broadcaster BBC, Tim Davie, addressed the issue during a session of the UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Will the United Kingdom Join the Boycott? During the session, Davie stated that the BBC is aware of concerns surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision but emphasized that they are working with the EBU on the matter: "Eurovision has never been about politics, it should be a celebration of music and culture that...
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EBU First Respond: Did It Offer Israel to Compete Under a Neutral Flag at Eurovision 2026?

EBU First Respond: Did It Offer Israel to Compete Under a Neutral Flag at Eurovision 2026?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); For the first time since the rumor spread that the EBU suggested Israel participate with a neutral flag or withdraw, the organization now officially responds to the reports. Last week, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands announced they would officially boycott Eurovision as long as Israel remains a participant. Iceland and Spain hinted that they might also consider withdrawal if Israel participates. Yesterday, reports surfaced from unofficial sources that the EBU allegedly offered Israel a temporary withdrawal or to perform under a neutral flag. KAN has not confirmed these reports. Ynet reporter Ran Boker revealed that European sources close to the contest suggested these two options to Israel to prevent what they described as a “humiliating disqualification” from Eurovision 2026. According to the report, the “neutral” flag referenced could be the KAN logo, which broadcasters deemed acceptable compared to the Israeli national flag and government policies. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What Is the EBU’s Position?...
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For the First Time: Golan Yochpaz, CEO of KAN Responds to Calls for Israel’s Removal from Eurovision

For the First Time: Golan Yochpaz, CEO of KAN Responds to Calls for Israel’s Removal from Eurovision

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel’s national broadcaster CEO Golan Yochpaz insists Eurovision must not become political, responding to boycott threats and possible vote over Israel’s participation. Golan Yochpaz, CEO of Israel’s public national broadcaster KAN, publicly addressed today (Monday) for the first time the controversy over demands to exclude Israel from Eurovision 2026. “There is no reason Israel should not continue to be an integral part of this major cultural event, which must not turn political”. Yochpaz declared. The threats of national broadcasters in Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands to boycott the contest if Israel participates had so far been addressed only by politicians, including Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar, but never by KAN. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “Israel – Among Eurovision’s Top Performers” In his remarks, Yochpaz highlighted Israel’s success since KAN was founded: “Since its creation, Israel has been one of Eurovision’s most successful participants – in the past seven years, our representatives reached the fifth, third,...
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Will Israel Compete in Eurovision Under a Neutral Flag?

Will Israel Compete in Eurovision Under a Neutral Flag?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Israeli national broadcaster KAN, representing Israel in the EBU and Eurovision, has not confirmed reports of being offered to compete in Eurovision 2026 under a neutral flag amid boycott threats. The board's chairman of the Icelandic national broadcaster, Stefán Jón Hafstein, recently declared that the broadcaster intends to use the new EBU withdrawal deadline and postpone a final decision about participation until December 2026, when it will be clear if Israel is allowed to compete at Eurovision. Despite Iceland's own reservations regarding Israeli participation, Jón Hafstein revealed that several countries have demanded Israel's representation at Eurovision 2026. In the past week, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands officially declared they would boycott Eurovision as long as Israel continues to participate as usual. In addition to these three nations, Iceland and Spain have hinted that they may withdraw from the contest as well, if Israel competes. Reports suggest that, in response, the EBU has informally proposed two options to Israel:...
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Austria Officially Supports Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026

Austria Officially Supports Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026

by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria’s ORF and governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner back Israel’s Eurovision 2026 participation, opposing boycott threats and affirming Vienna’s role as host. The board of directors of Austria’s national broadcaster, ORF, voted by majority in favor of Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The decision, taken on Thursday, follows a public statement by ORF CEO Ronald Weissmann, who said he "hopes to see Israel participate in the contest". This endorsement is considered crucial, especially against boycott threats voiced by Slovenia, Ireland, the Netherlands, and other countries. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Political Support from Austria for Israel The decision by ORF is more than a symbolic move—it represents a concrete stance within the contest itself, positioning Austria, the host country, as a firm ally of Israel amid growing boycott calls. Substantial reinforcement came from Lower Austria’s governor, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, who not only joined in support but also openly opposed boycott threats from other states. Her involvement underscores Austria’s...
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