By Daniel Welsh

Copyright huffingtonpost

Eurovision Song Contest organisers have shut down claims that they have already laid out options for Israel about its involvement in next year’s competition.

The annual song contest has been at the centre of debate for a number of years now about whether Israel should be allowed to continue participating despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In the last few weeks, national broadcasters for Slovenia, Ireland, The Netherlands and Spain have all publicly said they will withdraw from Eurovision unless Israel is expelled, similarly to how Russia was banned from competing after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Other countries’ broadcasters have also raised concerns about Israel’s continued presence at Eurovision, with some casting doubt on their return in 2026 if Israel remains part of it.

Earlier this week, the Israeli news outlet Ynet cited undisclosed “sources” who claimed that Eurovision bosses had proposed to Israel’s Eurovision delegation that they either withdraw from the contest, or perform under a “neutral flag”.

However, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, a spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the collection of broadcasters who help organise Eurovision each year, insisted: “The EBU has not made any proposals to [Israel’s broadcaster] Kan regarding participation in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.”

Discussions about Israel’s involvement in Eurovision took place among EBU members over the summer, with no official resolution. This conversation is due to resume before the end of the year.

The EBU’s rep added to The Hollywood Reporter: “The consultation with the wider EBU membership is ongoing and no decisions will be made until the process concludes.”

Eurovision recently provided HuffPost UK with a statement on the matter from its director Martin Green, which read: “We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. We are still consulting with all EBU Members to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Song Contest.

“Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm if they wish to take part in next year’s event in Vienna. It is up to each Member to decide if they want to take part in the Contest and we would respect any decision broadcasters make.”

In July, it was reported by a number of news outlets that Germany and Italy’s national broadcasters had threatened to pull out of Eurovision if Israel is not permitted to return to the event in 2026.

Germany’s Südwestrundfunk (SWR) told HuffPost UK in response to these rumours: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a major musical event that has brought people across Europe and beyond together for decades – diverse and respectful, regardless of origin, religion, or belief.

“The ESC is a music competition organised by EBU broadcasters, not governments. The Israeli broadcaster KAN adheres to applicable regulations and has been an integral part of the music competition for more than 60 years. We affirm their membership and the core values of the ESC.

“We welcome the process initiated by EBU Director General Noel Curran. A former senior TV executive will engage in a structured, open dialogue with the members over the coming months to explore various perspectives and identify courses of action. The goal should be a well-founded and sustainable solution in line with the EBU’s values.”

HuffPost UK also contacted Italy’s RAI at the time but did not receive a response.

The BBC also had no comment when approached by HuffPost UK last week about whether it had any intention to withdraw or remain part of Eurovision depending on the decision over Israel.

Director general Tim Davie also addressed the subject publicly earlier this week.