A new investigation by The New York Times has revealed further details about internal discussions surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision, including concerns over televoting, broadcaster pressure, and legal discussions within the EBU.
Questions over the 2025 televote review
According to The New York Times, concerns were raised by several broadcasters following Eurovision 2025 regarding the televoting process and online campaigning linked to Israel’s participation.
The investigation (based on internal documents, meeting minutes, and interviews with broadcasters and Eurovision officials) states that Eurovision director Martin Green promised broadcasters that voting data would be reviewed. However, the group examining the results reportedly only received a “top-line” summary rather than a complete analysis of the televoting data.
The report also claims that organisers did not fully investigate whether online campaigns may have influenced the final televote outcome.
Israel’s Eurovision advertising campaign
The investigation further reports that the Israeli government spent more than $800.000 (around €739k) on Eurovision-related advertising during the 2024 Contest in Malmö.
According to documents cited by The New York Times, much of the funding came from Israel’s foreign ministry, while another budget allocation reportedly referenced “vote promotion”.
At a broadcaster meeting held in Croatia in July 2025, Eurovision organisers allegedly presented broadcasters with two separate presentations: one stating that Israel’s campaign had not influenced the voting results, and another discussing how social media campaigns could help countries attract votes.
According to attendees quoted in the report, some broadcasters considered the messaging contradictory.
Broadcasters divided over Israel’s future in Eurovision
The paper of record also detailed divisions between broadcasters regarding Israel’s future participation in Eurovision 2026. According to the investigation, Germany and Estonia opposed removing Israel from the Contest, while then-ORF Director General Roland Weißmann reportedly warned that Austria could reconsider hosting the event if Israel were excluded.
On the other side, several broadcasters threatened to withdraw if Israel remained in the competition, and some followed through. Iceland, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia all ultimately boycotted Eurovision 2026. Norway and Portugal, who had also reportedly considered withdrawal, decided to remain in the competition and will both perform at this year’s contest.
Additionally, the article further states that EBU lawyers privately concluded that Israel could legally have been excluded from Eurovision 2026 if members had chosen to do so.
Pressure on broadcasters
The investigation also alleges that broadcasters faced pressure both internally and externally during discussions surrounding Israel’s participation.
Broadcasters later received communications discouraging them from speaking publicly to journalists about the issue. The report additionally claims that Israeli embassies contacted broadcasters in at least three countries during the debate.
EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci reportedly defended the organisation’s handling of the matter, describing the decision not to hold a direct vote on Israel’s participation as “the most democratic solution possible”.
Belgian broadcaster VRT, however, criticised the process, with CEO Frederik Delaplace accusing the EBU of “hiding behind guidelines” instead of openly discussing human rights concerns.
Eurovision 2026 begins tonight
The investigation comes as Eurovision 2026 officially begins today in Vienna, with the first semi-final taking place tonight.The EBU has not yet publicly responded to the full findings published by The New York Times.
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News source: New York Times
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
Euan T 
Giwrgos Oiko