Israel was given the green light to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday, after the organising body decided not to hold a vote on its inclusion, despite threats of boycotts from some countries over the Gaza conflict.
Following the announcement, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros declared that it would withdraw from the contest, meaning the Netherlands will not compete in the competition, which attracts millions of viewers globally.
There was no immediate response from Spanish and other national broadcasters who had previously threatened to boycott the event if Israel was allowed to participate, citing the death toll in Gaza and accusing Israel of breaching the rules designed to maintain the contest’s neutrality.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) stated that its members had supported new regulations aimed at preventing governments and third parties from unduly promoting songs to influence voters, following claims that Israel had unfairly boosted its entry this year.
"The vote means that all EBU members who wish to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 and agree to comply with the new rules are eligible to take part," the EBU said.
The issue has caused significant division among participants in the competition, which has a history of being entangled in national rivalries, international conflicts, and political voting.
The Dutch broadcaster explained that it had determined that, given the current circumstances, participation could not be reconciled with the core public values of its organisation.
Germany, a key supporter of Eurovision, had stated it would withdraw if Israel was excluded. Israel, which finished second in the contest this year, has not addressed the accusations but maintains it is the target of a global smear campaign.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States is making gains in its conflict with Iran after a key Iranian naval target was destroyed, confirming that the strike was carried out by a U.S. submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka. Rescue efforts are now under way for the ship’s crew.
The U.S. Department of Defense has released a video of a submarine strike on an Iranian warship off the southern Sri Lankan coast. At least 80 people died in the U.S. attack on the vessel, Sri Lanka's Deputy Foreign Minister said.
Tehran residents walk past the ruins of buildings destroyed by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. Meanwhile, groups of people gather on the streets of the Iranian capital holding flags of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military has enough stockpiled weapons to fight wars "forever"; in a social media post late on Monday. The remarks came hours before conflict in Iran and the Middle East entered its fourth day.
U.S. first lady, Melania Trump chaired a UN Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict on Monday (2 March), a move criticised by Iran as hypocritical following U.S. and Israeli strikes that triggered a UN warning about risks to children.
A torpedo from a U.S. submarine has sunk an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth told reporters. The Sri Lankan navy carried out a rescue operation for dozens of sailors in the wake of the strike.
The U.S. embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones resulting in a limited fire and some material damage, the kingdom's defence ministry said in a post on X on Tuesday, citing an initial assessment.
The U.S.-Iran crisis has entered its third day, with further strikes reported across the Middle East and the death toll rising. Oil prices have surged to levels last seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, raising fears of economic disruption and higher prices worldwide.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States is making gains in its conflict with Iran after a key Iranian naval target was destroyed, confirming that the strike was carried out by a U.S. submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka. Rescue efforts are now under way for the ship’s crew.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 4th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Strikes across the Middle East are intensifying, fuelling travel disruption, driving up global energy prices and forcing diplomatic missions to shut their doors.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States has a “virtually unlimited supply” of munitions and is capable of sustaining military action indefinitely, as the conflict with Iran entered its fourth day.
The United Nations has called for an investigation into a deadly attack on a girls’ primary school in Iran, which Iranian officials say has killed more than 100 children. The U.S. has said its forces “would not” deliberately target a school.
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