By Ellen O’regan
Copyright politico
Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands had already threatened to boycott — with Iceland indicating less definitively that it may withdraw if Israel takes part — with countries citing the deadly suffering in Gaza under Israel’s bombardment, plus the erosion of press freedom and targeting of journalists.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is under the Hamas-run government, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s assault. U.N. agencies and independent experts consider the ministry’s casualty records as generally reliable. The retaliation began after Hamas militants killed some 1,200 people on Israeli soil on Oct. 7, 2023 and took around 250 hostages into Gaza.
Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS voiced concerns Friday that the Israeli government interfered in this year’s contest and used it “as a political instrument.” Israel came top of the viewer vote in the 2025 event, prompting questions from some other countries about possible manipulation of the voting system.
‘Tense few months ahead’
The EBU has been in extensive talks with its members about Israel’s participation in the 2026 competition, since the issue was raised at a meeting of national broadcasters in London in June.
Green, the director, said it is up to each EBU member to decide whether they want to participate in the contest, and they have until mid-December to confirm if they wish to take part in next year’s event.
Broadcasters will meet for the next EBU general assembly in Geneva on Dec. 4 and 5, where they could vote on Israel’s participation in the contest.
