Eurovision organisers debate whether Israel should be barred from contest

"Public broadcasters are meeting to discuss whether Israel should be excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest over alleged interference in last year's competition and its continued genocidal war on Gaza. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which brings together member broadcasters organising the feel-good music contest, launched two days of talks on the divisive issue on Thursday, ahead of the 70th edition in Vienna next May."

"The meeting, which ends Friday, will discuss new rules intended to discourage governments from swaying voters, following claims that Israel unfairly boosted 2025 entrant Yuval Raphael, who had little backing from the professional jury, but won second place after an apparent surge of support from the public, some of which was likely orchestrated by Israeli backers. Under the new EBU rules, an expanded professional jury will be reintroduced at the semifinal stage and will have about 50 percent of the vote."

Public broadcasters are meeting to consider excluding Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest over alleged interference in last year's competition and its continued genocidal war on Gaza. The European Broadcasting Union launched two days of talks ahead of the 70th edition in Vienna next May. Several countries, including Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands, threatened to walk out if Israel participates. A vote scheduled for November was postponed after a ceasefire announcement that Israel has since violated nearly 600 times. The meeting will consider new rules to discourage government influence, including reintroducing an expanded professional jury at semifinals with roughly 50 percent of the vote. If members cannot agree on new rules, a vote on Israel's participation will be held.

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