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4h ago

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

A secret ballot on revised contest rules preserved Israel's eligibility, prompting a rare refusal to participate or broadcast by several public broadcasters.

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Overview

  • The EBU assembly in Geneva approved a new Eurovision regulation via secret vote, with 738 in favour, 265 against and 120 abstentions.
  • Members voted on rule changes rather than holding a separate ballot on Israel, a move that effectively kept the country eligible for the Vienna contest.
  • RTVE, Avrotros, RTÉ and RTV Slovenia said they will withdraw from Eurovision 2026, with RTÉ and RTVE confirming they will not transmit the event.
  • Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the decision, saying Israel deserves representation and framing the outcome as a stand against efforts to silence the country.
  • The dispute has intensified scrutiny of EBU neutrality and consistency after past decisions such as Russia’s 2022 exclusion and allegations of voting manipulation linked to last year’s Israeli entry.