Israel’s participation in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be discussed on Thursday (4 December), as the organising body, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) meet in Geneva to consider whether the country can compete amid threats from some nations to withdraw over the ongoing Gaza war.
The meeting will also address new rules designed to discourage governments from disproportionately promoting songs to influence voting, following allegations that Israel unfairly boosted its entrant this year.
Israel, which finished second in the 2023 contest, has not responded to the accusations but has claimed it is the target of a global smear campaign.
Eurovision expert Paul Jordan described the situation as a "watershed moment," with public broadcasters from Slovenia, Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands threatening to boycott the May 2026 event in Austria if Israel is allowed to compete.
Critics cite the high Palestinian death toll in Gaza, as a key reason for opposition.
The EBU stated that if members are not convinced the new neutrality rules are adequate, a vote on Israel’s participation will follow.
Germany’s Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, expressed strong support for Israel, stating that Germany should not participate if Israel is excluded.
“Israel belongs in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC),” he said.
“There must be no ESC without Israel,” he added.
Austrian broadcaster ORF also supports Israel’s participation, while German broadcaster ARD has not commented.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN is preparing for the 2026 contest and will soon announce changes to its selection process. KAN also plans to present its stance on possible disqualification during Thursday's meeting.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
AnewZ has launched dedicated Azerbaijani-language digital platforms, making its journalism more accessible to Azerbaijani-speaking audiences.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
China has maintained its highest-level rainstorm warning after Typhoon Bavi made landfall on the country's eastern coast, urging large-scale evacuations and emergency preparations across several provinces amid fears of severe flooding and landslides
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known internationally for his role in 'Jurassic Park', died suddenly on Monday aged 78 after recovering from cancer, his family said.
Uzbekistan has approved a new film rebate programme offering foreign productions up to 4 billion soums (around U.S.$315,000) in reimbursement as it seeks to attract international filmmakers and boost tourism through cinema.
More than 100 countries now spend more on servicing debt than on education, UNESCO has warned, as it called on governments and international lenders to expand the use of debt-for-education swaps.
The Welsh rock singer Bonnie Tyler, best known for the global hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart," has died aged 75 in Portugal.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is set to become one of 2026’s biggest films, bringing Homer’s ancient epic to life with a $250 million budget. From real ships and thousands of extras to heated debates over casting choices, here are 10 facts about the ambitious adaptation.
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