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 24th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
In the midst of political tensions and a looming budget crisis in France, the government is grappling with the intricacies of passing an emergency bill ahead of the Christmas period.
Afghanistan and Iran have signed an implementation plan to strengthen regulation of food, medicine, and health products based on a 2023 cooperation agreement.
Current security challenges and ongoing geopolitical shifts were the focus of the annual Georgia Ambassadors' Conference taking place from 22 - 25 December in Tbilisi.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty gaming franchise, has died in a car crash involving a Ferrari crash on Monday in Los Angeles, United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is monitoring recent Iranian military exercises and will raise the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to Washington next week.
Paramount has reaffirmed its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, offering $30 per share in cash and backing the proposal with a $40.4 billion personal equity guarantee from billionaire Larry Ellison, despite the target company’s board urging shareholders to reject the offer.
U.S. President Donald Trump has approved plans to construct a new class of battleships, which he described as larger, faster and significantly more powerful than any previous U.S. warship.
As the European Commission warns of possible visa suspension, Georgian authorities reject accusations of democratic backsliding. What is really at stake — and who could be affected most?
Director James Cameron has shared the key reasons behind the global success of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time. In an interview with China Media Group in Hainan Province, Cameron spoke about the universal appeal of the film.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become the world’s richest individual, with a net worth of US$749 billion, after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated $139 billion in stock options that were voided last year, according to Forbes’ billionaires index.
A rare pair of bright-green Nike “Grinch” sneakers worn and signed by the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant have gone on public display in Beverly Hills, ahead of an auction that could set a new record for sports memorabilia.
The Games of the Future 2025 kicked off with an opening ceremony, merging physical sports and digital e-sports to create a unique "phygital" category.
In a ground-breaking development, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking on new forms in Japan, where it has extended to a more personal and intimate domain being romantic relationships.
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