Eurovision faces major test as countries weigh Israel's participation

The Eurovision Song Contest faces a major test this Thursday as members of the body that organises the contest may vote on whether Israel can compete in 2026.

European Broadcasting Union members will convene to discuss new rules designed to prevent governments and third parties from disproportionately promoting songs to influence voters - after controversy earlier this year over Israel finishing runner up.

If members are not convinced the rules are adequate, there will be a vote on participation, the EBU said, without naming Israel specifically.

Public broadcasters from Slovenia, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands have all threatened to boycott the event, scheduled for May in Austria, if Israel is allowed to take part, citing concern over its killing of Palestinians in Gaza.

This year, critics accused Israel of unfairly boosting the second-place finish of its entrant Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

The Israeli foreign ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

If a vote against Israel were successful, Germany would probably withdraw and not broadcast the contest, a broadcasting industry source told Reuters. German broadcaster ARD did not comment. Austrian host broadcaster ORF also wants Israel to compete.

Sources within Israeli broadcaster Kan told Reuters it believed discussions about excluding Israel were unjustified, asserting that Kan was in full compliance with EBU rules.

Russia has been excluded from Eurovision since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Reporting by Reuters