The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed that an extraordinary online General Assembly will be held in November to decide on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026.
The decision follows a meeting of the EBU Executive Board, where members could not reach an agreement. In a letter to broadcasters, EBU President Delphine Ernotte-Cunci wrote that there was an “unprecedented diversity of views” on Israel in Eurovision and that the issue required “a broader democratic basis”.
This means that for the first time, all member broadcasters will be invited to vote on whether Israel’s public broadcaster KAN can take part in the contest. The vote will be the only item on the agenda of the extraordinary meeting.
Israel’s participation has been debated since the beginning of the year, with several broadcasters and politicians across Europe calling for suspension. Others have defended Israel’s place, stressing that Eurovision should remain a cultural and non-political event.
Until now, EBU membership has guaranteed the right to participate in Eurovision. If Israel is excluded, it would mark a historic precedent and could influence how similar cases are handled in the future.
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The result of the vote is expected in early November. The deadline for broadcasters to confirm participation in Eurovision 2026 is mid-December, meaning the outcome will directly affect the final line-up for Vienna.
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest Israel 1978: Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta – “A-Ba-Ni-Bi”
Israel has participated in Eurovision 47 times since their debut in 1973. They have won the contest four times:
Israel 1978: Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta – “A-Ba-Ni-Bi”
Israel has never finished last in the contest! Since the introduction of the Semi-finals in 2004, Israel has qualified for the Grand Final 14 out of 21 times.