Eurovision Song Contest

Boycotts could hurt Eurovision budget but not the 'show,' host ORF says

At a meeting on Thursday, national broadcasters that make up the European Broadcasting Union cleared Israel to take part in the next contest in May

People cheer as they watch the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest finals being screened at a community center in Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 17, 2025.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to suspend arms deliveries to Israel has unleashed quite a storm at home, says the writer.

Germany knows that erasing Israel from various platforms does nothing for peace - editorial

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

Eurovision Song Contest changes voting rules after controversial allegations against Israel

YUVAL RAPHAEL performs on Saturday night to ecstatic fans in Tel Aviv.

A ‘next’ star no more: Yuval Raphael burns bright in headlining concert debut - review


Eurovision shocker: Austria will not host if Israel boycott is approved

Following international pressure for the Eurovision Song Contest to boycott Israel, Austria announces that it will not take part if Israel is kept out.

JJ, representing Austria, winner of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, kisses his trophy during a visit to the Chancellory in Vienna, Austria, May 19, 2025

German Chancellor says Germany likely to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel banned

The German leader also expressed his condolences to Herzog on the upcoming two-year anniversary since Hamas had murdered 1,200 people and taken around 250 hostages in southern Israel. 

Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden attends a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) in Berlin, Germany, July 1, 2025.

EBU moves up vote on Israeli Eurovision participation to November

Israel has been taking part in Eurovision, which was established after World War II to provide a forum for peaceful competition among nations, since 1973.

Eurovision 2026 logo

Austria’s deputy FM urges EBU not to yield to Eurovision boycott 'blackmail'

Austria’s deputy FM urged the EBU not to yield to boycott calls over Israel’s Eurovision participation, calling cultural boycotts "foolish" and warning against giving in to political pressure.

Eurovision 2026 logo

My Word: The boycott culture war on Israel - opinion

The boycotts go beyond the world of sports and culture. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week, Israel is under diplomatic and economic attack.

POLICE OFFICERS block off anti-Israel protesters ahead of the Vuelta de Espana cycling race, earlier this week

KAN addresses calls for Israel to withdraw from Eurovision

KAN CEO Golan Yochpaz says Israel must remain part of Eurovision as several European countries threaten a boycott over the Gaza war.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

Netherlands to not join Eurovision if Israel participates, says broadcaster

The European Broadcasting Union which organizes the event said on Thursday it understood the "concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East."

Eurovision 2026 logo

Ireland to skip Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, Irish broadcaster says

The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes and produces the event, said it understood the "concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East."

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

EBU decides not to vote on expelling Israel from Eurovision – for now

The Eurovision Fun website reported that the issue of Israeli participation has been tabled until the EBU meets again in the winter.

 YUVAL RAPHAEL and  Elphaba in ‘Wicked.’ Kindred spirits.

Israeli artists should compete in Eurovision under a neutral flag, Icelandic official suggests

The EBU will discuss a call from Iceland’s public broadcaster to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest in its upcoming meeting of the EBU General Assembly in London.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

Iceland to call for EBU to ban Israel at London meeting in July

The EBU will discuss a call from Iceland’s public broadcaster to ban Israel from Eurovision in its upcoming meeting of the EBU General Assembly in London.

 A person holds a flag during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, May 12, 2024.