Hashtag Eurovision has obtained a statement from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirming that its Executive Board has called for an extraordinary vote on Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
According to the statement, a letter has been sent to the Directors General of all EBU members announcing that a vote will take place at an extraordinary meeting of the EBU’s General Assembly, scheduled to be held online in early November: “We can confirm that a letter has been sent from the Executive Board of the European Broadcasting Union to Directors General of all our Members informing them that a vote on participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place at an extraordinary meeting of the EBU’s General Assembly to be held online in early November. We have nothing further to add at this time.”
This announcement follows weeks of mounting pressure from broadcasters and fan communities amid growing controversy around Israel’s participation in the contest. Broadcasters including Spain’s RTVE, Ireland’s RTÉ, Slovenia’s RTVSLO, and the Netherlands’ AVROTROS have already threatened to withdraw if Israel remains in the competition. Now, the outcome of November’s meeting could have a decisive impact on the shape of Eurovision 2026.
