Eurovision 2026: Israel to Participate Despite Boycott Threats, EBU Approves New Voting Rules
Portugal will be among the nations participating in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) opted against a vote to exclude Israel, despite mounting calls for a boycott from several countries. The decision, reached during a general assembly in Switzerland on Thursday, comes amid heightened scrutiny over the contest’s impartiality and allegations of political influence.
The EBU’s assembly overwhelmingly approved new regulations aimed at curbing disproportionate promotion of songs by governments and third parties, responding to concerns that Israel unfairly bolstered its entry this year. “Participants representing EBU members were invited to vote in a secret ballot on whether they were sufficiently satisfied with the new measures and safeguards announced last month, without there being a vote on participation in next year’s event,” an EBU statement explained. “A large majority of members agreed that there was no need for a new vote on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should go ahead as planned, with the additional safeguards in place.”
The approval of these revised rules, particularly those concerning the voting system, effectively removed the immediate question of Israel’s continued participation. The changes include limiting promotion by external actors, reducing the maximum number of votes per person to ten, and enhancing security measures to detect and prevent fraudulent voting patterns.
However, the decision has sparked further controversy, with several countries already confirming their boycott of the 2026 contest, scheduled for May 12, 14, and 16 in Vienna. The Netherlands, Spanish public television, Ireland, and Slovenia have all announced they will not participate if Israel is allowed to compete. “We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of the Israeli broadcaster KAN in the Eurovision 2026 Contest,” a spokesperson for Spain’s RTVE stated. “The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and approval of the peace process, and Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain the Eurovision Contest as an impartial cultural event.”
Dutch broadcaster Avrotros similarly declared its participation “was not compatible with its fundamental public values,” while Slovenia cited the deaths of “20,000 children” in Gaza as the reason for its boycott. Irish public broadcaster RTE explained its decision was made “in light of the terrible loss of life in Gaza and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.” Belgium, Sweden, and Finland are also reportedly considering joining the boycott.
Despite the growing opposition, Portugal has confirmed its participation. In a statement, Portuguese public television explained that the EBU’s new voting rules “strengthen trust and transparency and guarantee the neutrality of the event.” RTP, Portugal’s public broadcaster, voted in favor of the changes, believing they “allow countries to participate in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with a greater degree of confidence in the voting results.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the EBU’s decision, stating that Israel “deserves to be represented on every stage in the world.” He expressed his hope that the competition would continue to “promote culture, music, friendship between nations and cross-border cultural understanding.” Herzog also thanked “all our friends who defended Israel’s right to continue to contribute to and compete in Eurovision.”
The controversy stems from the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and suspicions of televoting fraud in recent contests, specifically a disparity between jury and public votes favoring Israel. The EBU’s response reflects a broader effort to address concerns about political interference and ensure the integrity of the Eurovision Song Contest, which has been held annually since 1956. Israel was the first non-European country to participate in 1973 and has won the competition four times. Austria won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in 2024, and Portugal achieved its first and only victory in 2017 with Salvador Sobral’s performance of “Amar dos dois.”
https://twitter.com/Isaac_Herzog/status/1732584999999999999
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will feature two semi-finals on May 12th and 14th, culminating in the grand final on May 16th. The EBU has previously excluded countries, such as Belarus in 2021 and Russia in 2022, due to political circumstances, underscoring the delicate balance between cultural exchange and geopolitical considerations.
