EBU begins talks over Israel’s Eurovision participation

Eurovision members have started debates over Israel’s participation in next year’s Eurovision song contest. The discussion will take place over the next two days at the headquarters of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva.

Over the past few months, countries such as Ireland, Iceland, Spain and the Netherlands have threatened to pull out of the 2026 contest if Israel takes part.

Other countries, such as Belgium, Finland and Sweden, have also said that they were considering a boycott.

RTÉ has not yet made a call for entries for 2026, and staff unions have called on the broadcaster to maintain its stance.

The broadcaster’s latest statement said that “events in the Middle East are unfolding day by day” and noted that participation is on the EBU agenda. It did not comment on whether the broadcaster’s position has shifted since September.

Back then, RTÉ had stated that it felt "that Ireland’s participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.

"RTÉ is also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza,” it added, “and the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.”

The EBU had originally planned for the meeting to be held in November, but postponed it following the 10 October announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Last month, the EBU announced a change in its voting rules in an effort to address members’ concerns and to strengthen “trust and transparency”.

At this week’s meeting, members are being asked whether those measures are sufficient or if they they want a formal vote on Israel’s participation.