Overview

• The EBU board set an online General Assembly for early November where every member will vote after acknowledging an unprecedented split in views.
• Former EBU vice president Petr Dvořák mediated the dispute and submitted a report before the board moved the decision up to early November.
• Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland and Belgium have threatened to withdraw from the 2026 contest if Israel competes.
• Israel’s broadcaster KAN criticized the step as politicizing the contest and stressed the ballot concerns only participation in ESC 2026, not EBU membership.
• Host broadcaster ORF and several European officials have backed Israel’s inclusion, arguing the contest should uphold cultural dialogue rather than become a political tribunal.