EXCLUSIVE: BBC director general Tim Davie has come under pressure from employees to reveal how the UK broadcaster will vote over Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
Amid pressure to expel Israeli public broadcaster Kan from the music competition, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has asked its 68 members to decide in an online ballot next month.
The BBC is one of the EBU’s most prominent members and will participate in the vote, but Davie said he has yet to decide on whether the corporation will back Israel.
In a town hall meeting with employees on Thursday, the most up-voted question was: “How will BBC vote in the November EBU decision about whether or not to ban Israel from Eurovision?”
Per sources, Davie replied: “We don’t know yet. We’re reflecting on it. We’re taking soundings and having a think. It’s a very difficult situation for the EBU.”
Davie has previously said that Eurovision has “never been about politics,” but Israel’s involvement has become deeply political because of its actions in Gaza after the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023.
Among those taking a strong stance has been Ireland’s RTÉ, which said that competing in Eurovision 2026 would be “unconscionable” if Israel is present in Vienna, Austria.
The BBC is expected to disclose how it voted following the EBU meeting. The corporation is in something of a bind, with its decision almost certain to generate criticism either way.
If it backs Israel, it will likely be accused of endorsing the horrors in Gaza. If the BBC does not support Israel, the corporation will likely upset the Jewish community and enrage the UK’s conservative media.
In a statement last month, Israel’s Kan said it hopes the Eurovision Song Contest “will continue to uphold its cultural and non-political identity.”
It continued: “The potential disqualification of Israel’s public broadcaster Kan – one of the contest’s long-standing, popular, and successful participants – would be especially troubling ahead of the 70th edition of the song contest, which was founded as a symbol of unity, solidarity, and fellowship. Any such move could have wide-ranging implications for the competition and the values for which the EBU stands.”
Davie addressed staff during a visit to Cardiff, Wales. The town hall was hosted by Jason Mohammad, who presents Match of the Day among other BBC shows.