Overview
- Member broadcasters meeting in Geneva declined to hold a vote on Israel’s eligibility and approved new safeguards that cut per‑viewer televotes from 20 to 10 and strengthen professional juries, including at the semi‑final stage.
- RTÉ and RTVE said they will not participate or broadcast the 2026 contest, while AVROTROS and RTV Slovenija announced withdrawals in protest at Israel’s inclusion.
- Israel’s broadcaster KAN welcomed the outcome and signaled intent to compete in Vienna next May, with President Isaac Herzog publicly supporting participation.
- The BBC said it supports the collective EBU decision; Nordic broadcasters endorsed the rule changes, while Iceland and Belgium indicated decisions are pending.
- The EBU said all members agreeing to the new rules may take part and plans to publish the final participant list before Christmas for the contest scheduled in Vienna.