The crucial decision regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 will be made by members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), as it was officially announced that an extraordinary General Assembly will take place in early November with the sole agenda item being Israel’s continued participation in the competition or not.
Eurovision 2026: The EBU announcement
The decision to hold the General Assembly was made following the inability to reach consensus within the EBU’s Executive Board, due to the “unprecedented diversity of views” among members. As emphasized in a related letter signed by EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci, the intense disagreement among members led to the need for a broader, democratic process.
The vote will take place online, and all EBU members will be called upon to express their views regarding Israel’s participation or non-participation in the 2026 competition. It is noteworthy that this is the first time EBU membership is formally disconnected from Eurovision participation, turning the issue into an independent matter of decision. According to information from journalist Ran Boker from Israeli platform Ynet, the EBU has already informed the Israeli public broadcaster, KAN, that the decision will use the simple majority rule, meaning 50%+1 of votes. This choice has provoked reactions, as Boker points out that in cases of country removal from the EBU, a 75% majority is required. Nevertheless, it appears the EBU considers that this specific case does not fall under the member expulsion clause, but constitutes a separate issue, limited to participation in the music competition. This position leaves open the possibility of Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision 2026, even without obtaining an enhanced majority – something that has caused intense concern on the Israeli side.
KAN’s response
In its announcement, KAN clearly argued that the Eurovision competition must remain cultural and non-politicized. Israel’s public broadcaster emphasized that excluding the country, one of the most historic and successful participants in the institution, would constitute a step with significant consequences. “The exclusion of Israel’s public broadcaster, one of the oldest, most popular and most successful participants for decades, especially on the eve of celebrating Eurovision’s 70th anniversary, could constitute a step with significant implications,” the KAN announcement characteristically notes.
At the same time, the organization reminds that EBU regulations stipulate that such decisions require a majority of at least 75% of General Assembly participants, implying that applying a simple majority might constitute a deviation from statutory provisions. The final decision on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is expected to be made within November, in a process that, as everything indicates, will determine not only one country’s presence in the popular music competition, but also future balances within the EBU.
