Organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest are confronting a deeply divisive and politically charged dilemma: whether to allow Israel to participate in the 2026 competition. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the alliance of public broadcasters from 56 countries that runs the contest, held a general assembly on Thursday 4 December 2025 to tackle the issue, but experts predict no clear resolution is imminent.
A Contest Divided by Politics
The annual pop music gala, which draws over 100 million viewers, strives to be "united by music." Yet, the ongoing war in Gaza has exposed profound rifts. Several member countries are calling for Israel's exclusion, citing alleged interference in contest voting and its military conduct in Gaza. Paul Jordan, known as Dr. Eurovision, lamented the situation, stating, "Eurovision is becoming a bit of a fractured event... unfortunately it’s disunited through politics." He described the atmosphere as "quite a messy and toxic situation."
The conflict follows a precedent set in 2022 when Russia was expelled following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Pro-Palestinian protests have already shadowed the last two contests in Basel, Switzerland, and Malmo, Sweden. The war's human cost, cited as over 70,000 dead in Gaza according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, and Israel's response to the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, which killed some 1,200 people, form the bitter backdrop to the debate.
Potential for a Historic Boycott
The EBU assembly in Geneva did not reach a united position, and it remains unclear if a formal vote on Israel's participation will be called. If no collective decision is made, individual broadcasters may have to decide whether to take part. Austria and Germany are said to support Israel's inclusion, while Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain have threatened to boycott the contest if Israel competes.
Eurovision expert Dean Vuletic warned that a boycott by EU members would be historically significant. "It would be the biggest boycott of Eurovision ever," he said, noting past boycotts were usually bilateral. The walkout threat includes major players: Spain is part of the financially crucial "Big Five"; Ireland is a record seven-time winner; and Iceland boasts the highest-percentage viewing audience.
Voting Reforms and an Uncertain Future
In an attempt to placate critics, the EBU is proposing a package of new measures to safeguard the contest's "neutrality and impartiality." These include reducing votes per payment method and reintroducing professional juries to the semi-finals. The union stated that a vote on Israel's participation will only occur if members deem these steps insufficient.
Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm their participation for the 2026 contest in Vienna, with a final list expected by Christmas. The controversy risks overshadowing the planned return of Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania. As Paul Jordan concluded, "There are no winners here... it’s not what Eurovision should be. It’s meant to be joyous and about bringing people together despite our politics. Unfortunately it’s become, I think, a bit of a political football." The coming weeks will determine if the music can ultimately prevail.
