At a time when geopolitical tension even affects the world of music, Europe’s public broadcasting councils are discussing the issue of days, Israel’s participation in the Eurovision European Song Contest, which is expected to take place next May in Austria, converting a contest. If Israel participates.

As the British newspaper reports The Telegraphon the occasion of the announcement of Ireland’s public television, according to which the country will withdraw from the competition if there is a representation of Israel, two camps are being formed within the EBU (European Broadcasting Union), in favor of Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026.

Countries that are opposed to Israel’s participation may be well known, since they are publicly positioned, either saying that they will not participate in the upcoming competition if EBU allows Israeli participation, or are currently reserved to commit to their presence, saying that they will announce their participation or not. of the Union, on December 4 and 5 in Geneva.

Already the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia have made it clear that they will not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, while Spain, Iceland and Belgium are awaiting the GS decision. of EBU in December to confirm their participation or not, leaving the possibility of leaving the competition.

OR The Telegraph It also presents countries that support Israel’s participation in the upcoming competition.

Particular reference is made to Germany and Italy, both members of the Big5 and the largest funders in the competition. In the countries that support Israel’s participation are this year’s and the next organizer, Switzerland and Austria.

In possible vote in the General Assembly Countries that are also expected to support Israel, always in accordance with The Telegraphis Greece, Cyprus and Azerbaijan.

Recall that if we reach a vote in the General Assembly. The EBU, according to the Union Statute, requires the participation of 3/4 of the members in the vote and, of which, vote in favor of the elimination of Israel 3/4.

In favor of Israel the organizer

The organizing country, Austria, is in favor of Israel’s participation in the competition. On Saturday a vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. The result was positive for Israel, but not unanimously.

THE Alexander Zach, A member of the Council linked to the Neos (center -right party in Austria), he filed a proposal to support Israel’s involvement and to order the Director General to express this position to the EBU, according to derstandard.at.

“The Board of Directors of the ORF Foundation welcomes the participation of the Israeli member of the EBU in the Eurovision 2026 song competition and commits the Director General to represent and announce this post in EBU”.

Austria as an organizing country places a lot of emphasis on Israel’s involvement, an issue that will culminate at the next EBU General Assembly in December.

With a neutral flag

The Israeli website Ynet published an article by presenting EBU’s proposal to Kan (Israel’s public broadcasting) on ​​the country’s participation. According to the proposal, the possible scenarios were two, and they want Israel either to voluntarily retire from this year’s competition, or, if he wishes to remain, his spokesman to appear on the stage with a neutral flag instead of the National.

Israeli media reported: “Sources related to Eurovision in Europe have conveyed unofficial messages to Israel, proposing or his temporary voluntary retirement or the involvement of a neutral flag. Israel’s temporary departure would not lead to a “humiliating exclusion”. A neutral flag could be the flag of the Kan network, as Europeans have no problem with the Israeli broadcasting body, but with the policies of the Israeli government. “

EBU denies

However, through The Hollywood Reporter website, an EBU spokesman denied the above by saying:

“EBU has made no proposal in Israel for its participation in the next Eurovision song contest. The discussion with the wider EBU members is ongoing and no decisions will be made until the procedure is completed. “

He then stated: “EBU understands concerns and deeply rooted views on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but we are still asking for their opinion to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Eurovision song contest.”

As a Union spokesman said earlier, members have until mid -December to decide whether they want to participate, and it is a decision exclusively for each channel to do so, with the EBU respecting all the decisions they will make.

The final decision on Israel’s participation is expected to be taken at the EBU’s 95th General Assembly, which will take place in Geneva on December 4 & 5. There will be discussed and probably the issue of participating in the country. If no exclusion decision is taken, Israel will normally go on the Eurovision 2026 stage in Vienna.

Intervision

Since 2022, due to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been excluded from most sports or cultural events. Among them is the Pan -European song contest of Eurovision. However, the country has resorted to an alternative, reviving Intervision, a Soviet era competition (1965-1980), which aims to join artists from countries sharing common cultural and political perspectives, mainly from the BRICS, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Latin, Latin, Aphrodite. The announcement of the competition by the official account of the Russian Foreign Ministry says the finals will take place on September 20, 2025, in a Moscow suburb.

According to the announcement, more than 20 countries will participate. Music entries are available for hearing through the ministry’s Telegram channel.

Noteworthy is the US involvement, which surprises data with tense relations with Russia. Howard, son of R&B singer Miki Howard, was chosen by the organizers, emphasizing that his music “goes beyond borders and unites cultures”. The participation seems to have emerged from the invitation of Russian organizers, without involvement of an official American body, which is common in such competitions. Howard, known for collaborations with artists such as Vanessa Williams and Akon, can see an opportunity for international promotion.

Countries such as Azerbaijan had initially stated interest but withdrawn, while others such as Iran and Mexico have expressed interest without official confirmation.

The full list of countries, along with their artists and their songs, is:

  • Belarus: Nastya Kravchenko – “Motylyok”,
  • Brazil: Luciano Calazans and Tais Nader – “Pipoca Com Amor”,
  • China: Wang Xi – “Zài lùshàng”,
  • Cuba: Zulema Iglesias Salaza – “Guaguancó”
  • Colombia: Nidia Góngora – “en los manglares”,
  • Egypt: Mustafa Saad – “Ben Elbanat”,
  • Ethiopia: Netsanet Sultan – “Halaala”,
  • India: Rauhan Malik – “Ishq”,
  • Kazakhstan: Amre – “Dala Tañy”,
  • Kenya: Sanaipei – “Flavor”,
  • Kyrgyzstan: Nomad – “Jalgyz Saga”,
  • Madagascar: D-Lain and Denise-“Tiako Hanjeky”,
  • Qatar: Dana Al Meer – “Huwa Dha Anta”,
  • Russia: Shaman – “Pryamo Po Serdtsu”,
  • Saudi Arabia: Zena Emad – “Mojrad Ham”,
  • Serbia: Slobodan Trkulja and Balkanopolis – “Tri Ružice”,
  • South Africa: Mzansi Jikelele – “Home”,
  • Tajikistan: Farrukh Hasanov – “Gori!”,
  • United Arab Emirates: Saif Al-Ali-“Dawaa Lilsalam”,
  • United States: Brandon Howard – “We Are Champions”,
  • Uzbekistan: Shokhrukh Mirzo Ganiev – “Sensan Sevarim”,
  • Venezuela: Omar Acedo – “La Fiesta de la Paz”,
  • Vietnam: đức Phúc – “phù đổng thiên vương”.