Israel will be allowed to compete in the 2026 Eurovision, following an overwhelming vote by European Broadcasting Union members to adopt a series of reforms rather than force a referendum on whether to oust the country amid anger over the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Responding to the decision, the public broadcasters of Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia immediately announced that they would follow through on their threats to quit the competition in protest.

The vote and decision capped a dramatic meeting of the EBU general assembly in Geneva, where members argued for and against Israel’s participation and the ramifications of either decision.

Ultimately, the EBU said that “a large majority of members” was satisfied with a package of reforms to the Eurovision unveiled last month, and “agreed that there was no need for a further vote” on whether Israel could participate.

“This vote means that all EBU members who wish to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 and agree to comply with the new rules are eligible to take part,” the EBU added in its statement.

According to reports, Germany and Ukraine’s broadcasters offered public backing for Israel’s participation during the assembly debate, while those from Spain, Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey — which is an EBU member but does not compete in Eurovision — called for the country to be ousted.

The final vote was 738 votes in favor of adopting the reforms without a vote on participation, 264 against and 120 abstentions (each country receives 24 votes divided among its broadcasters). That means only 11 countries voted to force a direct vote on Israel’s participation.

Israel was represented at the assembly by Kan director general Golan Yochpaz and attorney Ayala Mizrachi, who argued that a cultural boycott of Israel was indefensible and a slippery slope.

“The attempt to remove Kan from the contest can only be understood as a cultural boycott,” Yochpaz told EBU members, according to Kan. “A boycott may begin today with Israel, but no one knows where it will end or who else it may harm… Are EBU members willing to be part of a step that harms freedom of creation and freedom of expression?”

Yochpaz said Kan is proud of the songs and artists it has sent to Eurovision over the years, and “I will not stand here and apologize for our success.” He also stressed that Kan was not involved in any prohibited........

© The Times of Israel