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EurovisionGoverning body of, European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has canceled a planned online vote in November israel Should participate in the 2026 contest, citing “recent developments” middle east,
The decision was announced on Monday, with the EBU saying the question would be debated in person at the Winter General Assembly in December.
“In the light of Recent developments in the Middle East“The EBU Executive Board (meeting on 13 October) agreed that there is a clear need to hold an open and personal discussion among its Members on the issue of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026,” the EBU statement read.
“As a result, the Board agreed to place the issue on the agenda of its ordinary Winter General Meeting, which will be held in December, rather than holding an extraordinary session in advance.”
The EBU, which represents 56 public service broadcasters in Europe and beyond, originally announced plans to invite its member states to express their views on Israel’s participation in a virtual session in November.
The body told Reuters it would share more information about the December meeting “in the coming weeks”, but did not confirm whether a vote would still take place on Israeli broadcaster KAN’s participation.
In a letter sent to members in September, EBU President Delphine Ernotte Quincey acknowledged that the Executive Board had failed to reach consensus on Israel’s inclusion, writing: “Given that the Union has never before faced such a divisive situation, the Board agreed that this question deserves a broad democratic basis for decision.”
The EBU has previously defended KAN’s inclusion, Given that Eurovision is a non-political cultural event and KAN meets all membership criteria.
Controversy over Israel’s involvement There has been turmoil for the last two years amid its war GazaWhile its competitors have been the subject of widespread opposition.
This postponement has come after a few days temporary ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas, who saw everything The remaining 20 hostages were released on Monday In exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinians housed in Israel. ceasefire, US President Donald Trump’s mediationwas announced on Friday and includes a temporary Stop airstrikes and cross-border firingwith commitments to allow increase in humanitarian aid In Gaza for at least two weeks.
Israeli forces have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in the enclave over the past two years, according to Hamas-run Palestinian health officials.
The war erupted when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli data.
Israel’s participation in Eurovision has become a flashpoint, with at least five European broadcasters already threatening to withdraw if the country was allowed to compete.
State broadcasters in Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia have publicly announced that they may boycott Eurovision 2026 on humanitarian grounds.
Belgium, Sweden and Finland are also reportedly considering similar action, while Germany has accused the participating countries of politicizing the “cultural event”.
host country austria Has urged broadcasters not to politicize the contest. Austrian media organization ORF, which will host Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, welcomed the EBU’s decision to delay, saying it supported “a more measured and democratic discussion”.
In September, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Risinger appealed to broadcasters, writing that she was “deeply concerned about the risk of a rift between members of the European Broadcasting Union over this issue”.
According to Reuters, their letter said, “Such a rift will only deepen discord and prevent opportunities for vital dialogue between artists and the public – without improving the situation on the ground in Israel and Gaza.”
“Excluding Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest or boycotting the event will neither ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza nor contribute to a lasting political solution.”
Israel’s entry at the most recent Eurovision, held in Basel, finished second in May with artist Yuval Raphael receiving the largest number of public votes, although Austria ultimately won after jury scores were added. He Faced opposition during his demonstration Of their song “New Day Will Rise”, including during the Grand Final when a member of the Eurovision crew got hit in the paint Because two spectators attempted to interrupt the show,
The winner in 2025 is Austrian singer J.J. has also publicly called for Israel’s exclusion from next year’s contest,
Large pro-Palestine demonstrations were held outside the Eurovision venues in Malmö in 2024 and Again in Basel in 2025,