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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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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Report: Slovenia Likely to Withdraw from Broadcasting Eurovision 2026

Report: Slovenia Likely to Withdraw from Broadcasting Eurovision 2026

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Amid boycott threats over Israel’s participation, Slovenia’s draft annual programming plan suggests its national broadcaster RTVSLO will not broadcast or compete in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. Is Slovenia leaving for good? Although no official announcement has been made, signs indicate that Slovenia will neither broadcast nor participate in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. A draft of the annual Production and Programming Plan (PPN) shows that Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV SLO does not intend to air the Contest. If approved by the broadcaster’s council on November 26th, Slovenia’s withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 will become final. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What’s Behind the Decision? The draft outlines two main reasons for opting out of participation and coverage: First, RTVSLO declares 2026 as a "Year of Sports", explaining that large-scale events such as the Winter Olympics in Italy and the FIFA World Cup require significant resource allocation. Consequently, the network plans to reduce entertainment programming, making Eurovision participation financially and logistically unfeasible. In addition to budgetary...
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Boiling Point: Slovenia Will Support Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision Despite Ceasefire

Boiling Point: Slovenia Will Support Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision Despite Ceasefire

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following progress toward ending the Gaza war, the head of the Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO, said that the ceasefire does not mean Israel should take part in the competition. In light of the ceasefire and the EBU's announcement that the vote regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 - originally scheduled for November - has been canceled and will instead be held during the pre-scheduled General Assembly on December 4th, the head of the Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO, Natalija Gorščak, notorious for her political stance against Israel, stated that despite the ceasefire, it would be better if Israel did not participate in this year’s competition, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The ceasefire initially gave hope among Israeli Eurovision fans that the threat of expulsion would be lifted and that Israel’s path to Eurovision 2026 would be secured. However, Slovenia has now joined the Netherlands, declaring that the EBU must expel Israel from the competition despite the...
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Slovenia Escalates: If Israel Participates In Eurovision 2026 – We’re Out

Slovenia Escalates: If Israel Participates In Eurovision 2026 – We’re Out

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); With another furing declaration: Slovenia, which had already threatened to withdraw if Israel participates, has now officially turned it into a condition – if Israel is in, Slovenia is out. The Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO announced this morning (Saturday) that if Israel competes in Eurovision 2026, Slovenia will withdraw entirely. Led by director general Ksenija Horvat, the broadcaster has been one of the most prominent voices in Europe pushing anti-Israeli positions. In the past, its rhetoric has even bordered on antisemitism - an approach that resurfaces once again here. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “Israel Conflicts with the Values of the Contest” As early as July, during a conference in London, representatives of the Slovenian national broadcaster declared: “If Israel participates in the Eurovision Song Contest – due to the genocide in Gaza’– Slovenia will not take part in the event”. The broadcaster’s official statement today has now made that position binding. This reflects the broadcaster’s consistent policy. Already back in 2024, its...
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Eurovision Drama: Slovenia Threatens to Withdraw from Contest if Israel Participates in 2026

Eurovision Drama: Slovenia Threatens to Withdraw from Contest if Israel Participates in 2026

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Slovenia, consistently opposing Israel’s participation, officially announced it may withdraw from Eurovision 2026, citing political tensions and concerns about voting transparency. The Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO declared during a EBU conference that it would withdraw from the competition if Israel continues to participate. The statement follows growing criticism of Israel due to the war in Gaza, along with allegations of insufficient transparency in the Eurovision voting process. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Slovenia’s Withdrawal Threat: "The Union Ignores Us" At the July conference in London, Slovenian broadcaster representatives stated: “If Israel takes part in the Eurovision Song Contest – because of the 'genocide in Gaza' – Slovenia will not participate in the event”. This stance reflects a long-standing policy of RTVSLO’s management. In previous months, the broadcaster already expressed reservations about continuing collaboration with Israel in the contest. RTVSLO’s director Ksenija Horvat reinforced this message in media interviews. According to her, the EBU has not provided adequate answers regarding Israel. In a strongly...
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Ksenija Horvat: “Slovenia May Not Participate in Eurovision 2026”

Ksenija Horvat: “Slovenia May Not Participate in Eurovision 2026”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO is expected to withdraw from participating in Eurovision 2026, amid ongoing debates regarding Israel's inclusion, and is currently holding internal discussions on the matter. The Slovenian national broadcaster, RTVSLO, headed by Ksenija Horvat, is among the leading voices against Israel within the EBU. At the annual meeting of the Slovenian broadcaster this week, the agenda included, among other topics, the issue of whether the country should participate in Eurovision 2026. The discussion stemmed primarily from the meeting of the planning–production committee (PPN), which dealt with proposals to adjust the entertainment department’s programming. Eurovision participation emerged as a significant factor in the debate. Could Slovenia be preparing to withdraw from the upcoming competition? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Originally, RTVSLO planned to introduce a new show in the fall, modeled after Israel’s “The Next Star for Eurovision” — a competitive music program featuring both established and emerging artists, infused with humor and rivalry, with contestants advancing...
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Alenka Gotar: “We Will Probably Withdraw This Year Due to Israel’s Participation”

Alenka Gotar: “We Will Probably Withdraw This Year Due to Israel’s Participation”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Alenka Gotar, Slovenian Eurovision representative in 2007, warns Slovenia will likely withdraw from the contest this year due to Israel’s participation, reflecting growing tensions between RTVSLO and Israel. The Slovenian national broadcaster, RTVSLO, has in recent years maintained a very tense relationship with Israel, against the backdrop of the opposition from the country’s left-wing government to Israel’s participation in the contest. The national broadcaster, led by Ksenija Horvat, has been one of the main drivers of action against Israel within the EBU. The Slovenian Eurovision representative in 2007, Alenka Gotar, who in better days was at the center of decision-making within the national broadcaster, expressed pessimism regarding the country’s participation in Eurovision. According to her, Slovenia is almost certain to withdraw this year because of Israel’s participation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Until 2022, Slovenia was led by Janez Janša, a staunchly pro-Israeli leader. During his tenure, Gotar was a member of the executive board of the national broadcaster, and the approach toward Israel was drastically different....
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Slovenia Issues Ultimatum to EBU Over Israel: “Transparency or Eurovision Withdrawal”

Slovenia Issues Ultimatum to EBU Over Israel: “Transparency or Eurovision Withdrawal”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The controversy surrounding Israel's participation in the competition is breaking records. Why is Slovenia warning that it will withdraw from Eurovision - and what does it have to do with voting for Israel? The Slovenian national broadcaster, RTVSLO, has announced that unless the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) takes concrete steps to address ethical and transparency questions surrounding the Eurovision 2025 voting process, it will seriously reconsider its continued participation in EBU events, including Eurovision. This warning was issued in an official letter sent to EBU management by Ksenija Horvat, CEO of the Slovenian national broadcaster, and made public alongside similar appeals from Belgian and Spanish broadcasters. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Direct Criticism of Israel’s Participation: “This Appeal Is Not New” In her letter, Ksenija Horvat wrote: “As the CEO of Slovenian Television, I am once again reaching out to you with serious and growing concerns regarding Israel’s continued participation in EBU events, especially the Eurovision Song Contest”. She noted that she had raised these...
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Slovenia’s Second Rehearsal: Klemen Takes the Eurovision 2025 Stage

Slovenia’s Second Rehearsal: Klemen Takes the Eurovision 2025 Stage

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Slovenia’s Eurovision 2025 representative, Klemen, held his second rehearsal in Basel with the song "How Much Time Do We Have Left." Stay tuned for all updates from Switzerland. Klemen, Slovenia’s representative, was the third act to rehearse today on the Eurovision 2025 stage with his song "How Much Time Do We Have Left". Klemen will perform as song number 3 in the first semi-final, scheduled for May 13th. In a short video posted on the official Eurovision Instagram page, Klemen is seen wearing a shimmering black suit and delivering the high note near the end of his song with great precision. He is backlit by orange-yellow lighting. Later, the camera circles around him, revealing a woman in a white dress behind him (presumably his wife). At the end of the clip, the two look at each other. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); More Details About Slovenia's Performance: "How Much Time Do We Have Left" explores the delicate nature of existence, and...
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