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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Moment Before the Dramatic Debate on Eurovision’s Future: Finland Sets a New Ultimatum!

Moment Before the Dramatic Debate on Eurovision’s Future: Finland Sets a New Ultimatum!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026: On the eve of a crucial decision, Finland issues an ultimatum and demands that the EBU adopt four new conditions it formally placed on the table this morning. While representatives of the EBU gather for a pivotal debate on Eurovision’s future, a new declaration from Finland casts doubt over its own participation. The Finnish national broadcaster YLE, one of the competition’s most experienced and long‑standing participants, has issued an unusually sharp statement: Finland will consider withdrawing from Eurovision if the EBU does not fully adopt the regulatory changes it has proposed. Finland thus becomes another country that is not content with criticism alone, but instead puts a concrete threat on the table, joining states such as Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and the Netherlands. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In the words of YLE’s director general, Marit af Björkesten, there is a very clear warning. According to her, the original purpose of Eurovision was to create...
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Belgium: Will It Join the Countries Boycotting Israel at Eurovision?

Belgium: Will It Join the Countries Boycotting Israel at Eurovision?

by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium’s French and Dutch-language national broadcasters will jointly decide the country’s stance on Israel ahead of Eurovision 2026, raising concerns that Belgium may back calls for Israel’s exclusion. Belgium, a country divided into two main language regions, also operates with two national broadcasters: a French-speaking (Walloon) broadcaster and a Dutch-speaking (Flemish) broadcaster. This year, the French-speaking national broadcaster, RTBF, is responsible for selecting Belgium’s representative. In September, the broadcaster announced that it would make an official decision on whether to take part in Eurovision 2026 after the European Broadcasting Union’s General Assembly, scheduled for today. Now the Flemish national broadcaster, VRT, which was responsible last year and will be again next year, has declared that Belgium’s position in today’s discussion will not be determined by the Walloons alone but will be decided jointly by both national broadcasters. This development raises concerns regarding Israel’s position in the contest, as the Flemish broadcaster is known for its harsher stance toward Israel,...
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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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Latvia: Songs for ‘Supernova 2026’ Have Been Released!

Latvia: Songs for ‘Supernova 2026’ Have Been Released!

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Listen: Latvia's national broadcaster has released the songs that will compete in the national final, 'Supernova 2026'. The Latvian representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen on February 14 The Latvian national broadcaster, LTV, revealed today the 24 songs of "Supernova 2026", scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026. The winner of this competition will represent Latviad at Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Full list of participants and songs: Click on the name of the song to listen! Agnesse - "Oh My My" Aivo Oskis - "Walking Out" Antra Stafecka - "Divejada" Atvara - "Ena" Blurie - "Lovin' Always Get Me Down" Daba - "Panic Attack" De Mantra - "Let Them" Edvards Strazdiņš - "I Ain't Got the Guts" Elpo - "Blakus" Emilija - "All We Ever Had" Honey Blue - "Blue Disco" Ivo Grīsniņš Grīslis - "Home" Janis Rugajs - "Smoke" Kautkaili - "Te Un Tagad" Krisy - "Take It" Kristine Megija...
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Serbia: Participants for “Pesma za Evroviziju 26” Revealed

Serbia: Participants for “Pesma za Evroviziju 26” Revealed

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Serbian national broadcaster RTS revealed today the 24 contestants in "Pesma za Evroviziju 26", through which Serbia's entry for Eurovision 2026 to be held in Vienna, Austria, will be selected. The Serbian national broadcaster RTS revealed today the 24 contestants expected to participate in "Pesma Za Evroviziju 26" ahead of Eurovision 2026. When the song submission window for "Pesma Za Evroviziju" opened, it was announced that if the jury panel determines that the submitted songs do not meet the required musical standard to represent Serbia at Eurovision, the representative will be selected internally. This indicates that the level of the songs is high, and as a result, the winning song in the competition will indeed represent Serbia at the upcoming Eurovision. The official dates for the competition have not yet been published, but the event will include two semi-finals and a grand final to be held at the end of February. (adsbygoogle...
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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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Ukraine: Nine Finalists Revealed for Vidbir 2026 Grand Final

Ukraine: Nine Finalists Revealed for Vidbir 2026 Grand Final

by Adiel Shtainmetz Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ukraine's national broadcaster reveals the first nine finalists for the Vidbir 2026 grand final. One additional contestant, selected by the Ukrainian public, will join the lineup. Last Monday (November 24), 15 contestants for Vidbir 2026 were revealed. Today, Ukraine's national broadcaster, Suspilne, announced the nine finalists for the competition and provided details on how the entry for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. The grand final is scheduled for February 2026, with the winner, who will represent Ukraine in Vienna, determined by a 50% public vote and 50% jury vote to maintain Ukraine's perfect 100% qualification record to the Eurovision grand final. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As noted, of the 15 initial candidates, nine songs have been selected to compete in the grand final. From the remaining six songs, one more will advance via an online public vote on the official website. The additional finalist will be announced on January 15. In total, 10 songs will compete in the...
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Croatia: The Contestants of “Dora 2026” revealed!

Croatia: The Contestants of “Dora 2026” revealed!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Croatian national broadcaster HRT revealed this morning the 24 contestants of "Dora 2026", whose winner will represent Croatia at Eurovision 2026 to be held in Vienna, Austria.​ The Croatian national broadcaster, HRT, revealed this morning (Wednesday) the 24 expected contestants who will participate in "Dora 2026" ahead of Eurovision 2026. Additionally, the national broadcaster revealed the four backup songs selected in case one of the participants withdraws. We recall that backup songs also have considerable influence potential, as the song of Croatia's 2024 representative, Baby Lasagna, was one of the backup songs and was ultimately selected and came second in Eurovision. "Dora 2026" will take place during February, at a location that has not yet been revealed.​ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); List of contestants of "Dora 2026": 1. Alan Duras - "From Ashes to Flame" 2. Ananda - "Dora" 3. Cold Snap - "Mucho Macho" 4. Devin - "Over Me" 5. Ema Bubic - "Vrijeme Za Nas" 6. Fenksta - "Memento Mori" 7. Fran Uccellini - "Alo Bolje Bude Sutra" 8. Irma - "Ni Traga" 9. Ivan Sever - "Crying...
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