Music

Eurovision organisers postpone vote on whether to exclude Israel as Gaza ceasefire holds

Oct 14
Written by Alastair James

Israel came second during the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. (Getty)

The organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest have delayed a vote on whether Israel should be excluded from next year’s extravaganza, following the ceasefire in Gaza.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday (10 October) and all the 20 remaining living Israeli hostages were freed on Monday (13 October), in exchange for about 1,700 Palestinian prisoners being in Israeli jails.

In a statement, reported by the BBC, contestant organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: “In the light of recent developments in the Middle East, the EBU’s executive board agreed there was a clear need to organise an open and in-person discussion among its members on the issue of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

“Consequently, the board agreed to put the issue on the agenda of its ordinary winter general assembly, which will be taking place in December, rather than organising an extraordinary session in advance.”

Eurovision Israel — Israel’s Yuval Raphael came second in this year’s contest. (EBU)

Several countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, had indicated they were willing to walk away from this year’s competition if Israel was allowed to compete while the conflict in Gaza dragged on.

According to the British Red Cross, 2.1 million people in Gaza are still facing extreme hunger. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has confirmed that a famine is taking place.

Last month, the EBU said that while it “understands the concerns… no decisions” had been made about Israeli inclusion.

Israel’s involvement in this year’s event was also strongly criticised. More than 70 Eurovision acts signed an open letter calling for the country’s broadcaster, KAN, and contestant Yuval Raphael to be removed. The signatories said that silence was “not an option” and condemned the EBU for continuing to offer Israel a platform. Protests also took place.

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is due to be held in Vienna after JJ won this year’s contest in Basel, Switzerland with “Wasted Love. The live semi-finals will take place on 12 and 14 May with the main event at the Wiener Stadthalle, Austria’s largest indoor arena, on 16 May.