Eurovision bosses to consider if Israel should take part amid boycott threats

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, Dec 4 (Reuters) – The national broadcasters behind the Eurovision Song Contest, which draws millions of viewers worldwide, meet on Thursday to discuss whether Israel can compete next year, amid threats by some countries to pull out if it is not excluded over the Gaza war. The meeting at the European Broadcasting Union headquarters in Geneva will address new rules intended to discourage governments and third parties from overly promoting songs to sway voters, following allegations that Israel unfairly boosted its entrant this year. If members cannot agree, they may hold a vote on Israel's participation. Some countries, including Spain's broadcaster, have accused Israel of not following the rules for the contest, which stresses its political neutrality, and of using it politically. They added its continued participation would be untenable in light of the war in Gaza. Israel, which came second this year, has not responded to these accusations, but frequently argues it has faced a global smear campaign. Critics of Israel's participation cite concerns over the Palestinian death toll in Gaza, which has surpassed 70,000, according to Gaza health authorities. The war was sparked by the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's 2025 contest entrant, Raphael, was at the Nova music festival during the Hamas attack. EUROVISION ATTRACTS MORE VIEWERS THAN THE SUPER BOWL The Eurovision Song Contest, which dates back to 1956, reaches around 160 million viewers, according to the EBU. By contrast the U.S. Super Bowl this year drew almost 128 million, according to Nielsen, which measures global media audiences. The contest faces a "watershed moment", said Eurovision expert Paul Jordan. Public broadcasters from Slovenia, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands are threatening to boycott the May 2026 event, to be hosted by Austria, if Israel is allowed to compete. If members are not convinced that the new rules, which aim to protect the contest's neutrality and impartiality, are adequate, there will be a vote on participation, the EBU said. GERMAN MINISTER BACKS ISRAEL'S PARTICIPATION Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer told Reuters that Germany should not participate in Eurovision if Israel is excluded. "Israel belongs in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC)," he said. "There must be no ESC without Israel." A spokesperson for German broadcaster ARD said: "We hope for constructive discussions and solutions within the EBU that are consistent with the values of the EBU and the ESC." Austrian host broadcaster ORF wants Israel to compete. Israeli public broadcaster KAN said it is preparing for next year's contest and will soon release changes to its entry selection process. KAN added it will present its position on possible disqualification at the meeting. Under the new EBU rules, an expanded professional jury will be reintroduced at the semi-final stage and will have about 50% of the vote. The other half will remain a public vote. Audience members will now have a maximum of 10 rather than 20 votes to cast. "Fans will be actively encouraged to share their support across multiple entries," the EBU stated. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Additional reporting by Andreas Rinke in Berlin, Emma Pinedo Gonzalez in Madrid, Klaus Lauer in Berlin, Gerhard Mey and Marie-Louise Gumuchian in London; Editing by Toby Chopra, Alexandra Hudson)

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