Overview

• Spain’s culture minister warned the country will not take part if Israel is allowed in, and public broadcaster RTVE’s board backed a conditional absence.
• Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland have issued similar warnings, raising pressure because Spain is a Big Five funder with an automatic final slot.
• Israel’s broadcaster Kan says it intends to participate and rejects turning the contest into a political arena.
• Host broadcaster ORF supports Israel’s inclusion, while the EBU stresses the contest’s broadcaster-led rules and has set mid-December for participation confirmations.
• Separately in Germany, ARD under SWR will stage the 2026 national selection without RTL or Stefan Raab, shifting to a single show planned for late February.