A letter has been sent from the EBU’s executive board to director generals of all member broadcasters, to inform them about the vote on Israel taking part in 2026.
The EBU has been in talks with its members about Israel’s participation since the issue was raised at a meeting of national broadcasters in London in June. Last year’s competition was also overshadowed by controversy surrounding Israel’s participation.
The contest has long proclaimed that it is “non-political,” but in 2022 the EBU banned Russia from the competition following the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Israel’s national broadcaster, KAN, confirmed earlier this month that it is still preparing to select Israel’s representative for the contest due to take place in Vienna in May, and that there is “no reason why Israel should not continue to play a meaningful role in this major cultural event, which must remain a celebration of music and creativity, and not become politicized.”