The European Broadcasting Union has postponed the November vote by all EBU members — originally scheduled for early November — which was to decide on Israel’s participation or exclusion from Eurovision 2026. As Austrian broadcaster ORF explains, the decision will now be made by the General Assembly in December, as originally planned before the EBU convened the special vote.
The news comes as jubilant scenes from the Middle East have been broadcast around the world. Hamas has freed the 20 remaining Israeli hostages who are still alive and Israel has released around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Although the next steps surrounding the future of Gaza still need to be discussed, U.S. President Donald Trump has declared an “end” to the war.
These events have seemingly convinced the EBU that it needed to take a different approach to deciding Israel’s participation.
“In light of recent developments in the Middle East, the Executive Board agrees that there is a clear need for an open and personal discussion among members on the question of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026,” the EBU said in a statement. “Therefore, the issue has been placed on the agenda of the regular winter General Assembly, scheduled for December, rather than at an extraordinary meeting beforehand.”
“ORF welcomes the decision,” the broadcaster said in an initial statement.
Late last week, the Dutch broadcaster AvroTros made it clear that the cease-fire will not change its position. It will withdraw The Netherlands from the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates. In a strongly worded statement to AD.nl, the broadcaster said:
“Our decision about participation in 2026 was made carefully and deliberately, based on the events of this year, proven facts and verified reports.”
“We will not forget the serious human suffering in Gaza, nor the erosion of press freedom and the many casualties among journalists. The Israeli government’s interference in the last edition also weighs heavily in our assessment.”
Spain and Ireland previously announced that they too would withdraw from the competition in light of the situation in the Middle East if Israel were allowed to participate in Vienna. It’s unclear if recent developments will change their position.
