EBU Cancels November Vote on ESC Exclusion of Israel

"In light of the recent developments in the Middle East, the board agrees that there is a clear need for an open and personal discussion among the members regarding the question of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Therefore, the topic has been placed on the agenda of the regular General Assembly in winter, scheduled for December, and not on an extraordinary meeting before that," said the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in a statement.

ORF Welcomes Cancellation of November Vote on ESC Exclusion of Israel

At the end of September, the EBU announced, to resolve the increasingly heated debate among its members, that the entire plenary would vote on Israel's participation in the ESC at a special session in November. Previously, countries like Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands had announced that they would withdraw themselves in light of the Gaza war if Israel were allowed to participate in the Song Contest in Vienna in May 2026. Israel, in turn, through Golan Jochpaz, director of the responsible television station Kan, stated that there was no reason why they should not be part of the competition.

ORF Director General Roland Weißmann had always advocated for Israel's participation in the ESC, which was also welcomed by the ORF Foundation Council. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) also considered an exclusion of Israel as not expedient, as she stated in an open letter. And it is rumored that the Chancellor's party ÖVP was already strongly advocating behind the scenes for a withdrawal of the ORF as the event's host, should Israel actually be denied participation in the November vote. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz had also expressed similar sentiments.

Now the decision on whether Israel will send an act to the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in May 2026 will be made with some distance, allowing the opportunity to observe the further development of the peace plan. The realization of the ESC motto "United by Music" now seems possible again.

(APA/Red)

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