Eurovision organisers postpone vote on Israel's participation over "developments in the Middle East"

Eurovision Song Contest organisers have announced they will no longer hold an emergency vote on Israel's participation in the 2026 competition, citing "recent developments in the Middle East."

"The Board agreed to put the issue on the agenda of its ordinary Winter General Assembly, which will be taking place in December," read a statement from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The EBU said their Executive Board agreed there should be an in-person discussion "on the issue of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026."

They added the decision was made following "recent developments in the Middle East," presumably referring to the recent peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

Under the agreement, all 20 living Israeli prisoners have been returned to Israel by Hamas, while around 1,950 Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli prisons. Despite the ceasefire imposed by the deal, at least nine Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces just today.

While the EBU said they have "put the issue" of Israel's inclusion in the contest "on the agenda" of their usual General Assembly in December, it is unclear if a formal vote will still take place.

The EBU previously planned to meet online in November to determine whether Israel would be allowed to participate.

The decision came amid mounting pressure from multiple European broadcasters, including those in Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands, who have threatened to boycott the event if Israel remains in the lineup.

Meanwhile, the German Chancellor suggested Germany should withdraw if Israel is excluded.

Austria, the 2026 host country, has appealed to participating countries not to boycott the contest.

The EBU has emphasised a stance of political neutrality in recent years, despite facing public backlash over its inclusion of Israel.

Protests against Israel's participation were held in the 2025 host city of Basel as well as in Malmö in 2024. Both years, multiple competitors spoke out publicly against the EBU's decision to allow Israel.

Complaints were made in 2025 about the conduct of the Israeli delegation by Ireland's Bambie Thug who said the Israeli broadcaster broke rules by inciting "violence" while Israeli performers "harassed" other competitors.

Multiple countries including Ireland also called for an investigation into the validity of votes after Israel's entry received the highest tally among the public vote.

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place at Vienna's Wiener Stadthalle, Austria’s largest indoor arena – with the final set for May 16 and the semi-finals taking place on May 12 and 14.