“Chances are slim that we will send an artist next year” (VRT, Flemish broadcaster in Belgium)

Translation:

**The organization of the Eurovision Song Contest must allow a direct vote on which countries participate, and take a clear stand against war and violence. That is what VRT says about the commotion surrounding the Israeli participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. If that does not happen, the Flemish public broadcaster will not send a candidate. Next year, it will be up to VRT to send the Belgian candidate.**

"Today there is little chance that VRT will send an artist next year," says spokesperson Yasmine Van der Borght. "We expect from the EBU (the association of European public broadcasters [that organizes the festival](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/12/05/wat-is-de-ebu-songfestival-openbare-omroepen/), ed.) a strong signal against war and violence and for respect for human rights. Those are the values that should connect the festival, and today they are being snowed under too much."

"That is why we ask for a clear framework for participation, an open debate and a direct vote among the EBU members. So far, we have not received an adequate answer to this. Also during the semi-finals this week there was no sign that our concerns are taken seriously."

"Naturally, we want to discuss this together with other calls. But if the EBU's position does not change, the chances are slim that VRT will send an artist next year."

# Which countries can participate?

VRT is bothered by the way decisions are made about the Eurovision Song Contest. "We find it strange that there should always be a vote first on the question of whether there should be a vote, regardless of the subject."

According to VRT, it is not only about the participation of Israel, but it is about sighs "in general". According to Van der Borght, the broadcaster asks "an objective framework like other international organizations have: what are the conditions for a country to participate, and what are no conditions? That is missing now."

However, the discussion about the voting procedure and Israeli participation cannot be seen separately.

For example, in December last year, after a weeks-long controversy, [there was finally no vote on Israel's participation](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/12/04/beslissing-israel-eurovisiesongfestival/). A 2/3 majority of the EBU members then decided that this was not necessary, also because a ceasefire had just been reached in Gaza.

5 countries then boycotted the song contest, making this year's edition the [lowest number of participants since 2004](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/12/15/songfestival-laagste-aantal-deelnemers-sinds-2004/).

# No VRT team to Vienna

In December last year, after the non-vote on Israel's participation, VRT had already said that ["the EBU refuses to open its eyes to the continuing human suffering in Gaza".](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/12/04/reactie-vrt-deelname-israel-eurovisiesongfestival/) "Our further commitment to the Eurovision Song Contest remains dependent on how the EBU deals with our concerns in the coming years," it sounded at the time.

Just before that, the EBU had already voted [new rules](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/11/21/songfestival-stemming-jury-s-regels/), even before the decision on Israel's participation had been made. The EBU then halved, among other things, the maximum number of votes that can be cast via televoting.

But that was not enough for VRT then, and it still isn't today. Partly for this reason, [presenter Peter Van de Veire will not travel to Vienna this year](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2026/02/19/vrt-1-zendt-geen-ploeg-naar-songfestival-peter-van-de-veire-gee/), but will comment from Brussels. VRT NWS will be present to report.

The Eurovision Song Contest also causes quite a stir among the French-speaking Belgians. There it even came to a [political storm](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/12/06/\_apolitiek\_-songfestival-ontketent-storm-in-franstalige-politiek/) when the French-speaking public broadcaster RTBF decided to participate after all.