The EBU has delayed a vote on whether to exclude Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest. This comes after a debate took place on Thursday (July 3) at the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in London.
Divided opinions in the EBU debate
The debate went on for more than 90 minutes and made it clear just how divided the EBU members are. Iceland and Slovenia were especially outspoken, calling for Israel to be excluded from the contest due to the situation in Gaza. On the other side, countries like Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, and Cyprus expressed their support for Israel’s continued participation.
Austria – the host country of Eurovision 2026 – made a historical reference in its support:
“2026 marks 80 years since the end of World War II, and the Austrian public remembers what happened to the Jewish people.”
The UK’s BBC reportedly abstained from taking a stance during the session. Instead, it called for encouraging ongoing negotiations and discussions within the EBU.
In the end, no formal vote was held – a decision that, for now, allows KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, to remain in the competition. However, EBU sources told Ynet that Israel’s future in Eurovision will be revisited later this year at the next General Assembly:
“If the war continues into the winter, when the issue will be reviewed again, KAN will face difficulty remaining in Eurovision.”
EBU responds with official statement
Later that same day, the EBU issued a public statement reflecting on the meeting. They described the session as an “open and constructive discussion” on Eurovision and its place in today’s increasingly complex global context. The EBU said:
Despite its extraordinary success, the Eurovision Song Contest, like many other events, is not immune to the pressures of global politics.
Questions around participation have become increasingly sensitive and multifaceted, and our Members hold a wide range of perspectives on these issues which they were able to express in detail today.
The EBU also noted that:
Members expressed their support for the work of the Israeli public broadcaster Kan and its independence, noting the pressure it is repeatedly experiencing from the Israeli government.
To address future challenges, the EBU has appointed a former senior TV executive to lead in-depth discussions with its members:
They will engage with Directors-General and other stakeholders… and report back with recommendations this autumn.
The statement concluded by reaffirming the EBU’s commitment to transparency and ongoing updates for its members.
Broader context and growing tensions
In recent months, several broadcasters – including those from Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia – have urged the EBU to reconsider Israel’s participation in the contest, citing ethical and political concerns related to the ongoing situation in Gaza.
At the time, the EBU responded by saying that Eurovision is a contest between public broadcasters – not governments – and is meant to stay apolitical.
However, critics argue that if the contest truly aims to be apolitical, then broadcasters should be free to openly discuss the participation of member countries, especially when serious political or humanitarian concerns are involved.
Statements from Iceland
Icelandic Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir also weighed in on the matter. Speaking to Visir, she expressed concern over Israel’s continued presence in the competition:
“As an ordinary citizen, it feels strange and unnatural that Israel is allowed to participate in Eurovision, given the war crimes and what is essentially ethnic cleansing that have taken place in Gaza in recent months.”
Despite her criticism, she said Iceland should not boycott the event:
“I think Iceland should participate if the contest is held, but we must address the issue and act within the EBU regarding Israel’s participation.”
Should Eurovision take a stronger stance on political issues? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and be sure to follow That Eurovision Site on Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Tumblr and Bluesky for all the latest news on Eurovision 2026!
News source: Ynet / Visir
Photo Credit: Alma Bengtsson / EBU
Tetiana Viznytsia 
Tim J 
Euan T