The European Broadcasting Union has postponed until December a key vote on Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, citing uncertainty over the Gaza ceasefire and mounting pressure from broadcasters threatening to boycott the event.
Israel’s participation in next year’s Eurovision remains in doubt after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced on Monday that it would delay a decision on the country’s entry until December. The move follows calls from several member states to suspend Israel’s involvement amid the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
The EBU said it was cancelling a meeting originally planned for November, during which a final vote had been scheduled. The union said discussions would resume “once the situation in the Middle East becomes clearer.”
Austria, which will host the 2026 contest in Vienna after its victory last year, welcomed the delay. National broadcaster ORF said the decision “helped maintain the unity and credibility of the contest.”
The dispute marks one of the most serious crises in Eurovision’s 70-year history. Since Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel, the country’s entries have faced widespread protests. Thousands demonstrated outside the 2024 contest in Sweden, while activists in Basel earlier this year attempted to storm the stage during Israeli singer Yuval Raphael’s performance.
According to Israeli media outlet Ynet, the EBU has privately advised Israel’s delegation that it may need to perform under a neutral flag if it wishes to remain in the competition — an arrangement similar to that used for Russian athletes at the Olympics.
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is due to take place in Vienna, with semi-finals scheduled for 12 and 14 May and the finale on 16 May.
The European Parliament has announced a ban on Iranian diplomats following the government’s response to nationwide protests in Iran. President Rober...
Sweden will spend 4 billion crowns ($437 million) on unmanned drone systems to be delivered over the next two years, Defence Minister Pal Jonson said ...
India and Germany have agreed a range of deals to deepen cooperation between the two nations, with defence, trade and technology high on the agenda....
The UK’s media regulator Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into the social media platform X, owned by US billionaire Elon Musk, over concern...
In late 2025, Iran appeared to recalibrate its approach to Armenia, shifting from a security-centred posture toward a more conventional diplomatic eng...
The European Parliament has announced a ban on Iranian diplomats following the government’s response to nationwide protests in Iran. President Roberta Metsola confirmed the measure in a post on X on Monday, 12 January.
Sweden will spend 4 billion crowns ($437 million) on unmanned drone systems to be delivered over the next two years, Defence Minister Pal Jonson said on Monday.
In late 2025, Iran appeared to recalibrate its approach to Armenia, shifting from a security-centred posture toward a more conventional diplomatic engagement, as regional dynamics in the South Caucasus evolved.
The United Kingdom has launched Project Nightfall, a fast-track programme to develop new long-range ballistic missiles for Ukraine, aiming to help Kyiv strike targets deep behind Russian lines.
Timothée Chalamet won the Golden Globe for best male actor in a musical or comedy on Sunday for his role in Marty Supreme, beating strong competition in one of the night’s most closely watched categories.
Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano is showing increased activity, with lava flowing from two summit craters and flames, smoke and ash rising from the caldera.
Bob Weir, the rhythm guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78, his family has said.
The United States’ actions in Venezuela have clearly demonstrated not only that Latin America remains firmly in Washington’s geopolitical orbit, but also that the U.S. is the only global superpower.
Despite facing challenges in chip manufacturing, Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) researchers are optimistic about narrowing the technological gap with the United States, driven by an increasing culture of risk-taking and innovation.
Timothée Chalamet won the Golden Globe for best male actor in a musical or comedy on Sunday for his role in Marty Supreme, beating strong competition in one of the night’s most closely watched categories.
Teyana Taylor and Stellan Skarsgård were among the first winners at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, as Hollywood’s annual awards season got under way in Beverly Hills.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and other top names will compete for top honours at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, a key event in the run-up to the Academy Awards. The ceremony is due to take place on Sunday in Beverly Hills, California, recognising achievements across film and television.
Bob Weir, the rhythm guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78, his family has said.
Beyoncé has officially joined the billionaire club, becoming the fifth musician to reach a 10-figure fortune, Forbes reports.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment