TIMES OF ISRAEL
Israel cleared for Eurovision 2026 in EBU vote; Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia quit
Amy Spiro
December 4, 2025

Israel will be allowed to compete in the 2026 Eurovision, following an overwhelming vote by European Broadcasting Union members to adopt a series of reforms rather than force a referendum on whether to oust the country amid anger over the war against Hamas in Gaza. Responding to the decision, the public broadcasters of Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia immediately announced that they would follow through on their threats to quit the competition in protest. The vote and decision capped a dramatic meeting of the EBU general assembly in Geneva, where members argued for and against Israel’s participation and the ramifications of either decision. Ultimately, the EBU said that “a large majority of members” was satisfied with a package of reforms to the Eurovision unveiled last month, and “agreed that there was no need for a further vote” on whether Israel could participate. READ MORE