ESC 2026 in Vienna: Israel May Participate

Israel is allowed to participate in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna 2026. As a result, the anniversary competition in May 2026 will have to proceed without long-standing ESC core countries like Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands. This is the result of the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva. After a package of measures was adopted by the member broadcasters on Thursday, which ultimately allows Israel to participate, other countries immediately withdrew from Vienna.

Vote on New Rules at ESC 2026 in Vienna

At the meeting at the EBU headquarters in Geneva, a package of rule changes that had already been communicated in advance was adopted, aimed at ensuring the impartiality of the competition - and at the same time allowing the participation of all EBU members who wish to do so. This clears the way for Israel.

According to the new regulation, the audience's votes now carry less weight, and the role of the jury in the two semifinals and the final has been strengthened. "This voting result shows the commitment of our members to protect the transparency of and trust in the Eurovision Song Contest, the largest music competition in the world," said EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci in a statement.

Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia Withdraw

However, the long-standing ESC nations Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain - one of the so-called Big Five main sponsors of the competition - immediately announced that they would not come to Vienna in 2026 as a result of the vote and would boycott the ESC. Participation by Ireland "remains irresponsible in light of the horrific loss of life in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis," said broadcaster RTE. The Spanish colleagues from RTVE also announced their absence.

"Our message is: We will not participate if Israel is involved. Because of the 20,000 children who have died in Gaza," Natalija Gorščak from the Slovenian broadcaster RTV is quoted by Reuters. And the Dutch TV station Avrotros welcomed the changes decided in Geneva. "However, these measures do not undo what happened during the last Song Contest," said the TV station, which will also boycott the ESC in Vienna.

ORF Director General Weißmann Delighted by Israel's Participation

ORF Director General Roland Weißmann reacted joyfully to Israel's admission in a statement: "In recent weeks, I have personally advocated for the participation of Israel's public broadcaster and welcome KAN's involvement in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. In the spirit of a lived cultural dialogue and to support and strengthen the democratic role of public broadcasters as such, it was important not to burn bridges here. The concerns of some EBU members were taken very seriously and addressed with new and adapted rules, which were approved by the EBU General Assembly by a majority."

Mayor Ludwig Welcomes Vote

Approval of the decision from Geneva also came via a statement from Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) as a representative of the host city for the contest: "Israeli artists should and will always be able to perform their acts with us. Generally, I am skeptical about the boycott of artists - especially when it concerns their origin. From my perspective, nothing stands in the way of a successful ESC now."

Finally, Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Community of Vienna, also expressed his joy in a post on X: "Diversity wins! We look forward to a wonderful music festival in Vienna and congratulate ORF, which will be a fantastic host for this event that connects nations." Israel's President Isaac Herzog also spoke on X: "Israel deserves to be represented on all stages of the world." Accordingly, he is pleased that his country will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest again.

ESC Boycott by Other Countries Questionable

The EBU intends to present the final list of all participating countries before Christmas. Only then will it be clear who will actually be part of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. The two semifinals will take place on May 12 and 14, and the grand finale on May 16 at the Wiener Stadthalle. ORF Director General had previously expressed confidence that a record number of participating countries could be achieved.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.