Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest announced on Friday that a vote will be held in November by member broadcasters to decide whether Israel can participate in the event next year. This decision comes amidst growing calls to exclude Israel from the competition due to the conflict in Gaza.
Spokesperson Dave Goodman stated that the European Broadcasting Union board, which oversees the event, has informed its members that the vote will occur during an online extraordinary general meeting scheduled for early November.
The vote will determine the participation of Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster and an EBU member. Goodman explained that an “absolute majority” vote would be needed for Israel to be excluded from the contest.
Several countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain, have threatened to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to participate due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. On the other hand, Germany and Austria have voiced support for Israel’s participation, while the BBC and other broadcasters have yet to make a decision.
Kan expressed hope that the Eurovision Song Contest will maintain its cultural and non-political essence in a statement posted on X on Thursday.
Political and Regional Dynamics
Eurovision is a music competition where artists from various European nations, and sometimes beyond, compete under their national flags to win the continental title. It serves as a platform for both musical talent and political statements.
In 2024, Israel was requested to alter the lyrics and title of its entry, originally named October Rain, which was seen as a reference to a past conflict. The song was renamed Hurricane, and the Israeli contestant remained in the competition.
Political tensions between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups have influenced Eurovision events in recent years.
Dean Vuletic, a Eurovision expert, highlighted previous instances of exclusions in the competition’s history, such as the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s and Belarus in 2021, for violations of competition rules. Russia was also excluded in 2022 due to a conflict, prompting them to launch their own competition called Intervision.
Austria’s Foreign Minister expressed concerns over potential boycotts of the 202