The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has decided that Israel can participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 after member countries voted in favor of new rules. Several nations, including the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, have announced they will boycott the event in Vienna. Sweden voted for the rules and plans to participate, provided there is sufficient turnout.
At the annual Eurovision meeting in Geneva on December 4, 2025, 68 member companies voted in favor of the EBU's updated rules, aimed at safeguarding the contest's neutrality and impartiality. The rules include stricter restrictions on voting campaigns by governments or state agencies, the reintroduction of professional juries in semifinals, and limits on viewer votes. According to the EBU, there was no need for a separate vote on Israel's participation, and the contest will proceed as planned in Vienna with additional safeguards.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the decision on X: "This decision demonstrates solidarity, community, and collaboration, reinforcing the spirit of unity among nations through culture and music." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not commented. SVT's Middle East correspondent Gilda Hamidi-Nia noted that "the contest has become a symbol for something else" and that the issue reached the highest political level in Israel.
Several countries responded with boycotts. The Netherlands' public broadcaster Avrotros stated: "Participation under current circumstances is incompatible with the official values important to us." Similar decisions came from Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia. Norway (NRK) and Finland (Yle) are staying, with NRK CEO Vibeke Furst Haugen emphasizing: "Our job is to inform and report, not to take sides."
SVT voted yes on the rules and has not decided on a boycott. Division head Michael Österlund said: "If a few drop out, we must conclude that they are making a different assessment than we have so far." He stressed the need for broad European participation, an apolitical nature, and safety. In a debate on Aktuellt, Left Party's Håkan Svenneling criticized the decision, while Christian Democrats' Alice Teodorescu Måwe welcomed SVT's stance: "It is the only reasonable approach."
The decision comes against the backdrop of strong emotions surrounding the Gaza war, which has affected previous Eurovision events.
