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25m ago

EBU Clears Israel for Eurovision 2026 as Ireland, Spain, Netherlands and Slovenia Boycott

Members approved new voting safeguards in place of a participation vote, confirming Israel’s eligibility.

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FILE - JJ, from Austria, stands on the stage with his trophy after winning the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
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Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise", during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

Overview

  • The EBU said a large majority saw no need for a further vote on participation, so the 2026 contest in Vienna proceeds with additional safeguards in place.
  • Public broadcasters RTÉ (Ireland), RTVE (Spain), AVROTROS (Netherlands) and RTVSLO (Slovenia) announced withdrawals, with Ireland and Spain also saying they will not broadcast the event.
  • New rules curb third‑party or government‑backed promotion, cut the maximum public votes per person from 20 to 10, and expand juries to the semi‑finals with roughly 50:50 weighting.
  • Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS cited what it called proven interference by Israel in the last contest; Israel’s broadcaster KAN rejects wrongdoing claims and is preparing an entry.
  • Germany had warned it might pull out if Israel were excluded, while the BBC backed the EBU’s decision; Iceland and Belgium said they will decide on participation in the coming days.