Israel Confirmed for Eurovision 2026 as Spain, Ireland, Netherlands, and Slovenia Withdraw

Israel will participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following a decisive ruling by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which rejected calls to expel the country over political disputes tied to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The EBU’s General Assembly in Geneva affirmed that Israel’s broadcaster, Kan, remains fully compliant with contest rules.

The decision was made during a secret ballot on a comprehensive new rules package, not on Israel’s participation directly. Despite months of pressure from activists and some member states, no vote to remove Israel ever reached the floor. The EBU reiterated its longstanding position that Eurovision is a competition among broadcasters, not governments, and must remain free from political coercion.

In response to the ruling, four countries Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia announced their immediate withdrawal from the 2026 contest. Each issued political statements within hours of the announcement, signaling that their boycotts were symbolic moves in protest of Israel’s continued involvement.

The Geneva meeting primarily addressed updates to Eurovision’s structure, including measures to improve voting integrity. Reforms included limiting audience votes per viewer, restoring national juries to the semifinals, and introducing a seven-member jury with expanded demographic diversity.

While some delegations sought to link political grievances to rule changes, the EBU made clear that only broadcasters violating EBU principles such as Russia and Belarus have ever been excluded. Israel, it noted, has consistently met all obligations.

The decision represents a rebuke of growing efforts to isolate Israel in international cultural arenas. Kan is already preparing for next year’s competition in Vienna, with early planning underway for its national selection process.

For the EBU, the vote also reinforces Eurovision’s core mission: artistic celebration beyond political divisions. Despite mounting external pressure, the 2026 contest will proceed with Israel participating and without four withdrawing countries, marking another chapter in Eurovision’s complex intersection of culture and geopolitics. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.