Photo Credit: Eurovision
Eurovision confirms that Israel will take part in the song contest after a vote was called off over its participation.
Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will include Israel, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed after the general assembly called off a vote over the country’s participation. The 70th edition of the storied song contest takes place in Austria from May 12 to May 16.
Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands have all expressed their intent to boycott next year’s competition if Israel participates, citing the war in Gaza.
Israel came in second place in the 2025 competition, with Yuval Raphel—a survivor of the October 7 massacre—performing the ballad “A New Day Will Rise.” Austria’s entry, JJ, came in first place with “Wasted Love.”
“The attempt to remove [Israel] from the contest can only be understood as a cultural boycott. A boycott may begin today—with Israel—but no one knows where it will end or who else it may harm,” said Golan Yochpaz, CEO of Israeli broadcaster and EBU member KAN.
“Are public broadcasters and independent journalistic institutions prepared to sign their names to a cultural boycott? Are EBU members willing to be part of a step that harms freedom of creation and freedom of expression? And is this what we truly want this contest to be remembered for on its 70th anniversary?”
EBU members agreed there was “no need for a further vote on participation,” but they did vote on “new measures and safeguards” for the upcoming contest after criticism over the way the 2025 edition was handled.
“The result of this vote demonstrates our members’ shared commitment to protecting transparency and trust in the Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s largest live music event,” said Delphine Ernotte Cunci, EBU President. “These discussions have led to meaningful changes to the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, ensuring it remains a place for unity and cultural exchange.”
Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is actually based on membership of the EBU rather than geographical location. Israel first participated in 1973 and has won the competition four times, but it’s not the only non-European member to join. Australia was first invited to join in 2015, and Canada has been vying for a spot next year.
Content shared from www.digitalmusicnews.com.