Members of the Eurovision Song Contest are set to discuss Israel’s participation in the event during a two-day meeting in Geneva starting on October 10, 2023. The debate follows calls from several countries to exclude Israel due to its military actions in Gaza. Nations including Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands have threatened to withdraw from the 2026 contest if Israel is allowed to participate.
Broadcasters from Belgium, Finland, and Sweden have also expressed their support for a potential boycott, citing concerns over the situation in Gaza. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has highlighted what it considers a “serious violation of press freedom” by Israel and accused the country of interference during the last edition of the contest, where Israel finished in second place.
Controversy Over Voting Procedures
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision competition, had planned to hold a vote on this issue in November. However, following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the EBU postponed the decision until its ordinary general assembly on December 4 and 5. In an attempt to alleviate tensions, the EBU recently announced changes to its voting rules to bolster “trust and transparency” among member broadcasters.
During this week’s meeting, broadcasters will evaluate whether these new measures adequately address their concerns or if a vote on Israel’s participation remains necessary. The public broadcaster in Austria, which is set to host the 2026 contest, hopes to reach a consensus that allows for broad participation.
However, some broadcasters feel that the EBU’s measures do not go far enough. Iceland’s RUV has stated it will call for Israel’s expulsion prior to determining its own participation in the contest. Similarly, Spain’s public broadcaster, RTVE, reiterated its intention to boycott the competition if Israel is included, citing past attempts by Israel to “politically use the contest” without facing consequences.
Potential Implications of a Boycott
Slovenia’s public broadcaster is also considering withdrawing from the contest, as indicated by a recently passed budget that allocates no funds for participation. However, if the EBU General Assembly votes to exclude Israel, RTV Slovenija‘s chief, Natasa Gorscak, mentioned that they would propose participation under those circumstances.
The changes in EBU voting rules come after a trend in which Israeli acts received minimal backing from professional juries while gaining significant support from public votes. For example, Eden Golan surged from low jury rankings to fifth place in Malmo, Sweden, in 2024, and Yuval Raphael achieved second place in Basel, Switzerland, this year.
If Israel is ultimately excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest, it would not be the first time a broadcaster has been barred from participation. Russia was excluded following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while Belarus faced exclusion after the controversial re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko in 2021.
The outcome of the upcoming discussions in Geneva could significantly impact the composition and perception of one of the world’s most celebrated music competitions.
