The European Broadcasting Union on Wednesday issued new rules ahead of next year’s competition, seemingly aimed at ensuring Israel will not be able to host the 2028 contest even if it wins next year.

Generally, the EBU regulations stipulate that the country that wins the contest hosts the following year — but a number of exceptions have been made. Ukraine won in 2022, but the 2023 competition was hosted in the UK due to the ongoing war in the country. Countries have also given up their right to host in the past, including Israel when it won back-to-back in 1978 and 1979.

According to fresh rules posted on the Eurovision site on Wednesday, the EBU “may designate another Participating Broadcaster to host the Event” if it determines that the winner is unable to do so.

“Where an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other situation materially affects the security, safety or stability of the immediate region of a Participating Broadcaster, that Participating Broadcaster shall not be eligible to host the next ESC should its entry win,” the new regulations state.

The EBU could, however, determine that the country is eligible to host if it is “satisfied that the safety, security, integrity, continuity and smooth operational delivery of the Event can reasonably be........

© The Times of Israel