EBU Keeps Israel in Eurovision 2026 as Spain, Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia Withdraw

Overview

• EBU members decided against a new vote on Israel’s status and confirmed entries are eligible if broadcasters accept the revised rules.
• Spain’s RTVE will neither participate nor broadcast the final, while Ireland’s RTÉ, the Netherlands’ AVROTROS and Slovenia’s RTV Slovenija also announced withdrawals.
• Portugal’s RTP confirmed participation under rules designed to reinforce confidence, transparency and neutrality in the voting system.
• Israel’s public broadcaster Kan said it will compete in 2026, and President Isaac Herzog publicly welcomed the decision.
• Germany and Austria backed Israel’s inclusion as the EBU targets a pre-Christmas announcement of the lineup for the 70th-anniversary contest in Austria.