In recent weeks one question has dominated discussions about the Eurovision Song Contest: Will Israel be allowed to participate in the 2026 edition? Well the EBU has decided to bring the matter to a head and will stage a vote among member broadcasters in early November.
Ms. Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, the president of the European Broadcasting Union, informed member broadcasters on Thursday, September 25. Within minutes a leaked grab of the e-mail was circulating on social media. We have now confirmed with two delegations that the letter is in fact real. As such, we are publishing it below.
EBU members will vote on Israel’s Eurovision 2026 participation (STATEMENT)
Dear friends and colleagues,
The Executive Board has met today with former EBU Vice-President Petr Dvorák to discuss the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
Following up on the discussion that took place at the EBU Summer General Assembly in London, Petr presented his report to the Board based on the feedback he had received from meeting with Members.
The Executive Board acknowledged that there is an unprecedented diversity of views concerning KAN’s participation among EBU Members.
The Board believes that the Union stands for inclusiveness and an open cultural dialogue reflecting the values of Public Service Media.
Nevertheless, the Board recognized that it would not be possible to reach consensual position on KAN’s participation.
Given that the Union has never faced a divisive situation like this before, the Board agreed that this question merited a broader democratic basis for a decision, whereby all Members should be given a voice.
Consequently, the Board decided to organize an extraordinary session of the General Assembly that would take place online in early November for Members to vote on the question of participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
The formal letter convening this extraordinary session, with further details, will be sent to you next week.
How has Israel responded?
In a statement published on the Kan web site, the Israeli broadcaster said:
“The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation expresses hope that the Eurovision Song Contest will continue to maintain its cultural and political character. The removal of Israel’s public broadcasting body, one of the veteran, most popular and successful competitors throughout the decades of the competition, and especially on the eve of the 70th anniversary of Eurovision, which stands as a symbol of cooperation, kindness and brotherhood, could be a step with significant consequences.”
“It is not for nothing that the EBU regulations clearly state that exceptional decisions of this type require a majority of no less than 75% of the participants in the general assembly. We are convinced that the European Broadcasting Union will continue to maintain the apolitical, professional and cultural nature of the competition.”
How might EBU member countries vote about Israel’s participation?
Based on recent statements, it is safe to say that broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and The Netherlands will vote to remove Israel. You’ll recall that each of these broadcasters issued statements confirming that they will withdraw from the song contest if Israel participates.
Slovenia and Iceland have also made strong statements, suggesting to many observers that they too will withdraw. That would seem to align them with the previously named broadcasters.
The broadcasters in France and Australia, on the other hand, have issued statements that confirm they will participate in Vienna regardless of whether Israel is there or not. Their statements suggest they will vote against excluding Israel.
Australia’s SBS described Eurovision as a celebration of diverse voices and said it “intends to continue this tradition with its participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.” France Télévisions said it “reaffirms its support for musical creation, to artists, and for this unique event.”
