Eurovision

Eurovision rule changes threaten Israel's chances at success amid boycotts

CULTURAL AFFAIRS: Iceland joins a growing list of countries boycotting Eurovision 2026 due to Israel’s participation, as new voting rules create challenges for Israel’s success.

ISRAEL HAS been singled out as no country ever has been before at Eurovision. Here, viewers cheer as they watch this year’s Eurovision Song Contest finals being screened at a community center in Tel Aviv, in May.
Has there been a slight shift this week in Israel’s diplomatic outlook? Here, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speak to the media during a joint press conference in Jerusalem on Sunday.

Israel's global standing slowly recovers as diplomatic tsunami begins to recede

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, outside RTE Irish public television studios in Dublin, last month.

My Word: Playing the dangerous boycott game - opinion

Nemo, representing Switzerland, performs "The Code" during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, May 11, 2024.

Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo announces they are returning their trophy in protest against Israel


Iceland to boycott 2026 Eurovision in protest of go-ahead for Israel

Iceland, which has never won the song contest, will join Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia in their boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

VÆB, representing Iceland, perform "ROA", during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025.

Merz visit highlights new strategic, and strained, Germany-Israel bond - analysis

Notably, Germany opposed various sanctions proposals in the EU. It is one of the few countries Israel can count on to at least abstain from one-sided UN General Assembly resolutions.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, December 6, 2025.

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.

Europe once expelled Jewish musicians, now it hunts the only Jewish state - comment

European broadcasters boycotting Israel's Eurovision Song Contest participation frame it as moral courage, but the instinct mirrors patterns that shaped early Nazi-era exclusions of Jewish culture.

A mass rally of Berliners took place in the Sportpalast, where Nazi Reich Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda and Gauleiter of Berlin, Dr. Joseph Goebbels, with ruthless frankness, described the danger facing Europe, 1943.

Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia withdraw from Eurovision after Israel cleared to compete

"If no one was up in arms when Russia began its invasion, and it was exiled from global competitions and Eurovision, then the same should happen with Israel," Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez said.

 Yuval Raphael is the winner of the Rising star 2025 finale and will represent Israel in the Eurovision.

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

The Germans, speaking from painful experience, believe that this type of exclusion should never be normalized, and attempts to delegitimize an entire people never end well. The world should listen.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to suspend arms deliveries to Israel has unleashed quite a storm at home, says the writer.

Israel’s curling team aims for historic playoff spot at European Championships

The privilege of representing Israel on the international stage, especially during such a challenging period, is a great responsibility and a source of pride. We are fighting for our country.

Israel national curling team  is participating this week at the European Curling Championships in Finland.

Eurovision Song Contest changes voting rules after controversial allegations against Israel

The new rules by the European Broadcasting Union discourage governments and third parties from "disproportionately promoting" songs to sway voters.

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

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

Yuval Raphael dazzles her Israeli fans in Tel Aviv, performing hits from her Eurovision journey, new EP, and more, with powerful tributes and surprise guests.

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

Yuval Raphael releases video for new song Amber Skies

Raphael, a Nova Music Festival survivor, sings the theme song for HBO Max's television series One Day in October.

Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performs live during a rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, at "Hostage Square" in Tel Aviv, May 22, 2025.

Austrian chancellor rejects talk of Israel Eurovision ban

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker says banning Israel from Eurovision 2026 would be a mistake, citing Austria’s historical responsibility.

Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker, left, speaks with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a Euro Summit working dinner at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.