Overview

• The EBU told members it will convene an extraordinary General Assembly online in early November to vote on the inclusion of Israel’s broadcaster KAN.
• EBU president Delphine Ernotte Cunci said the union has never faced such a divisive situation and called for a broader democratic basis.
• Broadcasters in Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia have threatened to withdraw if Israel competes, with RTÉ citing humanitarian and press-freedom concerns.
• The vote could result in KAN’s expulsion from the 2026 contest, with Russia’s 2022 ban providing a recent precedent for exclusions.
• Vienna is slated to host the contest in May 2026, and host broadcaster ORF says the event will go ahead regardless of the number of participating broadcasters.