Eurovision director Martin Green said he has ruled out holding an additional vote on Israel’s participation in the annual song contest, and denied that the competition is facing financial difficulties due to an Israel-related boycott.

“That’s done. The membership spoke conclusively,” Green told the Variety entertainment news site in an interview this week. “Almost 70 percent [of European Broadcasting Union members] made their decision that they believe that public service broadcasters are not responsible for the actions of their government, and that [Israeli broadcaster] Kan should be allowed to participate.”

A number of anti-Israel public broadcasters forced an indirect vote last year on Israel’s participation, after pushing for years to oust the country over its war against Hamas in Gaza. After a majority of members chose to keep Kan in the contest, five countries backed out in protest: Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain — which had been one of the “Big Five” countries that provide a greater financial contribution to the contest.

The Eurovision director declined to comment on whether he expected any of the boycotters to return next year, and said he was unaware of any countries planning to join them.

Speculation has run rampant that Slovenia could come back to the competition after its anti-Israel government was replaced with a new pro-Israel prime minister, although there has been no confirmation from its public broadcaster.

Belgium — which alternates its representation yearly between its French-language and Flemish-language public broadcasters — has indicated that it is likely to pull out next year, when the Flemish VRT is in control, after the French RTBF........

© The Times of Israel