Eurovision body voting on Israel [VOTE WAS IN FAVOUR FOR ISRAEL TO REMAIN]

[Benjamin]

The organisation behind the Eurovision Song Contest has confirmed it will hold a vote on whether or not Israel should be allowed to participate next year.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed it will invite 68 member countries to give their view at a general assembly meeting in early November.

A decision will be taken by a simple majority, meaning that if more than 50% of members vote to exclude Israel, the country would not take part in 2026.

Israel's continued participation in Eurovision has been controversial due to the ongoing war in Gaza, and several countries had already called for their exclusion.

The EBU confirmed all 68 member countries would be invited to vote, including broadcasters who don't take part in Eurovision such as Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Jordan and Lebanon.

Israel came second in the the most recent Eurovision Song Contest in May, with its act Yuval Raphael receiving the largest combined public vote.

However, the inclusion of jury votes led to Austria being declared the overall winner, and the next contest is scheduled to take place in Vienna.

In recent weeks, countries including Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland and Spain have all said they would consider dropping out of Eurovision if Israel's involvement continued.

The Irish broadcaster, RTÉ, said that Ireland's participation in the event "would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza".

The Dutch public broadcaster, Avrotros, said it too could no longer justify Israel's inclusion "given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza".

However, Israel's public broadcaster Kan said it should be allowed to take part, adding it was "one of the contest's longstanding, popular and successful participants".

"The potential disqualification of Israel's public broadcaster Kan would be especially troubling ahead of the 70th edition of the song contest, which was founded as a symbol of unity, solidarity and fellowship," a spokesman for the network said.

Austria's foreign minister also previously wrote to colleagues in six of the countries threatening a boycott, urging them to reconsider, saying that Eurovision and the arts in general are "not the appropriate arenas for sanctions".

"Excluding Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest or boycotting the event would neither ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza nor contribute to finding a sustainable political solution," Beate Meinl-Reisinger said.

In the UK, Eurovision is broadcast by the BBC. Last week, the corporation's director-general Tim Davie said he was "aware of the concerns" around Israel taking part.

The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 65,419 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgq4e4l7dv8o.amp

[Nicky91]

let Israel participate


but majority of countries just withdraw as a boycott, to kill off the contest

[Nicky91]

those stupid EBU losers now suddenly coming with a vote


bore the **** off, pathetic if you cannot kick out Israel yourselves, but it was so easy to do against Russia and Belarus


**** off, i am done with these EBU hypocrites

[Crimson Dynamo]

The whole contest needs to die

Its has become like a far left student politics pride parade

perhaps a real musical contest may rise from its ashes that avoids pandering to minority groups and virtue signalling?

[Livia]

The whole contest needs to die

Its has become like a far left student politics pride parade

perhaps a real musical contest may rise from its ashes that avoids pandering to minority groups and virtue signalling?

Couldn't agree more. If a foreign country wants to hear British music they can just refer to their own charts going back decades.

[Shaun]

Alternatively, if what it is meant to be - every country listening to each other's music, without some weird superiority complex - can continue without the hypocrisy of condemning some bloodshed (Russia) but not all (Israel, Azerbaijan) then that would be lovely too.

[Livia]

Oh yeah, Eurovision is just a straightforward song contest, all about the love of music. Except when Greece votes for Cyprus and Cyprus votes for Greece, and Sweden votes for Finland and Finland votes for Sweden... and people get booed and jeered because their politics is not acceptable to the few. Perhaps we should check the moral background of every country before they enter, maybe run it past the ECHR?

I don't have a "weird superiority complex" about British Music. It's clearly superior.

[Mystic Mock]

The whole contest needs to die

Its has become like a far left student politics pride parade

perhaps a real musical contest may rise from its ashes that avoids pandering to minority groups and virtue signalling?

Tbf, Eurovision has always been a very left leaning Show.

However I don't support Israel possibly being removed from the competition.

If you don't want Israel to win Eurovision then don't vote for them, it's honestly that simple.

[Cherie]

This sounds like a receipe for disaster unless they keep the votes secret, it will cause even more division

[Nicky91]

at least i can play my Nickyvision contests by myself, way more fun either


and in a fantasy contest, i can pretend we have like 45 countries taking part or something :fan:

[Livia]

I've been in Israel this week. Generally, they are FAR more concerned about Western countries recognising a terrorist state than they are about a song contest.

[Benjamin]

Eurovision faces crucial decision over Israel

The Eurovision Song Contest faces a battle for its future at a "watershed" meeting in Geneva on Thursday.

Organisers and participating countries will debate whether Israel should be allowed to continue in the competition, amid protests over the way its government conducted its war in Gaza, and accusations of unfair voting practices.

Countries including Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia have said they will boycott Eurovision if Israel participates. Germany has indicated it will pull out if Israel is excluded.

The meeting comes after anti-Israel protesters attempted to disrupt both the 2024 and 2025 contests, citing their opposition to the Palestinian death toll in Gaza.

During this year's grand final in Basel, Switzerland, two people attempted to storm the stage and throw paint over Israel's contestant, Yuval Raphael. They were stopped by crew members and later arrested.

Raphael eventually took second place in the contest, after a convincing victory in the public vote.

However, the result triggered a backlash from other countries, who said Israel's government had artificially boosted their position through a broad, paid-for advertising campaign, urging people across Europe to vote for their song.

Israel has not responded to these accusations but frequently argues it has faced a global smear campaign.

Last month, Eurovision organisers announced they were tightening the competition's voting rules to limit the influence of governments on the results.

Without naming Israel, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said it would "discourage disproportionate promotion campaigns", particularly if they were "undertaken or supported by third parties, including governments or governmental agencies".

It also announced that fans would only be able to cast 10 votes each, down from 20; and that steps would be taken to improve the detection of "fraudulent or co-ordinated voting activity".

"We very much hope the package of measures will assure members that we have taken strong action to protect the neutrality and impartiality of the Song Contest," the EBU said.

It is hoped that the new rules will be enough to assuage participants' concerns over Israel's presence at the contest.

The package will be put to EBU members - including the outgoing BBC director general Tim Davie - at the organisation's biannual general meeting on Thursday.

If they are not convinced the changes are adequate, there will be a vote on Israel's future.

Natalija Gorščak, president of the management board at Slovenian broadcaster RTV, told BBC News she expected such a vote to go in Israel’s favour.

If that were to happen, Slovenia would refuse to participate in or broadcast the contest.

“I know that fans in Slovenia are disappointed,” Gorščak said. “I'm a fan as well and it's so bad because Vienna is so close to us and we won't be able to go.

“But still, we need to follow our principles and I think this is the correct way. Sometimes we need to be on the right side of history and this is the moment we are on the right side of history.”

Eurovision expert Paul Jordan called the situation “a real crisis point for Eurovision and the EBU“.

"There are no winners here. And it's a great shame that something which is meant to be apolitical has actually become a bit of a political football."

A vote on Israel's participation was originally due to take place in November, but it was cancelled after the declaration of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on 10 October.

Roland Weissman, director general of Austrian broadcaster ORF - which will host next year's contest in Vienna - subsequently travelled to Israel to meet with its Eurovision team and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

There, he told reporters that Israel is "an inseparable part of Eurovision". Others disagree.

Spain, one of the "Big Five" countries that contribute significant funding and audiences to Eurovision, has pledged to withdraw if Israel competes, saying the country had used the competition politically.

Speaking to a parliamentary commission, the president of Spanish broadcaster RTVE said he felt Israel's participation was "untenable", calling its actions in Gaza a genocide.

"As President of the (RTVE) corporation, I keep thinking that Eurovision is a contest, but human rights are not a contest," he said.

Israel has consistently denied accusations of genocide in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 70,000, according to Hamas-run health authorities.

If a vote against Israel were successful, Germany would probably withdraw and not broadcast the contest, a broadcasting industry source told the Reuters news agency.

Sources within Israeli broadcaster KAN said it believed discussions about excluding Israel were unjustified, asserting that KAN was in full compliance with EBU rules.

On Wednesday, pre-empting the EBU's general meeting, the broadcaster issued a press release confirming it was pressing ahead with its preparations for the 2026 contest.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gq5q5

[Nicky91]

possibly Finland, Belgium, Portugal withdrawing too if Israel isn't excluded from the contest

[Barry.]

It’s a lose-lose either way, people will leave if they stay or go

[Benjamin]

It’s a lose-lose either way, people will leave if they stay or go

I think either way, we may see Kazakhstan and Canada invited to participate in 2026 to make up numbers.

[Barry.]

I think either way, we may see Kazakhstan and Canada invited to participate in 2026 to make up numbers.

Would America not get an invite too?

[Maru]

Why even hype this up? They have had plenty of time to make a decision

[Benjamin]

Would America not get an invite too?

No. Their broadcaster isn’t an associate of EBU.

[Benjamin]

Why even hype this up? They have had plenty of time to make a decision

It was meant to have been in November but was pushed back to today.

[Parmy]

Let them sing, but let Hamas judge.

[Livia]

Let them sing, but let Hamas judge.

LOL... I think the BBC might actually back this.

I'd rather Israel told the Eurovision lot to shove it where the sun don't shine. The lefties and the luvvies have chosen a side, let's hope they'll always be happy with the side they've chosen. I once heard Eurovision described as The Gay Olympics and no one likes a big gay party more Hamas, right?

[Nicky91]

LOL... I think the BBC might actually back this.

I'd rather Israel told the Eurovision lot to shove it where the sun don't shine. The lefties and the luvvies have chosen a side, let's hope they'll always be happy with the side they've chosen. I once heard Eurovision described as The Gay Olympics and no one likes a big gay party more Hamas, right?

doubt EBU will kick Israel out, as they would also lose Germany then


and rather losing Spain of the Big 5 than Germany, i think


also MoroccanOil is the contest's biggest sponsor, so kicking Israel out they would also lose that then

[Nicky91]

i'm watching the contest either way so i don't care too much what they decide


if no Netherlands because of Israel, then i am more neutral, and that could also be good fun i think :laugh:

[Benjamin]

doubt EBU will kick Israel out, as they would also lose Germany then


and rather losing Spain of the Big 5 than Germany, i think


also MoroccanOil is the contest's biggest sponsor, so kicking Israel out they would also lose that then

On the other side they have Spain saying it will leave if Israel stays.

[Benjamin]

“According to sources, eight countries including Spain have proposed that the vote be anonymous. This proposition was made citing the statutes of the EBU. According to the rules, if at least five countries request a secret ballot, it should be implemented. ”

Oh Spain, don’t be so spineless.

[Nicky91]

On the other side they have Spain saying it will leave if Israel stays.

Spain are always a bottom 3 country so we won't miss their generic latin music



Germany on the other hand, i myself well am a massive fan of german culture

[Parmy]

LOL... I think the BBC might actually back this.

I'd rather Israel told the Eurovision lot to shove it where the sun don't shine. The lefties and the luvvies have chosen a side, let's hope they'll always be happy with the side they've chosen. I once heard Eurovision described as The Gay Olympics and no one likes a big gay party more Hamas, right?



It's a never ending pride parade over there.

[Adamw92]

Spain, The Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia have all withdrawn.

[Benjamin]

Several countries boycott Eurovision after Israel allowed to compete

Ireland, Spain and The Netherlands will boycott next year's Eurovision Song Contest, after Israel was allowed to compete.

They were among a number of countries who had called for Israel to be excluded over the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza, and accusations of unfair voting practices.

Despite calls for a vote on Israel's participation, members instead approved a new set of rules intended to protect the integrity of the contest.

In a statement, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said that "participation under the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values ​​that are essential to us".

Spanish broadcaster RTVE added: "The board of directors of RTVE agreed last September that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision if Israel was part of it."

"This withdrawal also means that RTVE will not broadcast the Eurovision 2026 final... nor the preliminary semi-finals."

RTVE had led the calls for Israel's dismissal, and requested a secret ballot on its participation.

According to the broadcaster, organisers "denied RTVE's request", adding: "This decision increases RTVE's distrust of the festival's organisation and confirms the political pressure surrounding it."

Other broadcasters, including Slovenia and Iceland are also expected to withdraw from the competition.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cde6d8wyp79o

[Crimson Dynamo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cde6d8wyp79o

:joker:

[Livia]

Unfair voting my arse. No one minded when Ukraine won with what was a pretty average song.

[Liam-]

Rigging the vote to keep the genocidal cheaters in just to lose some of the biggest contributors in response? Eurovision is dead

[Cherie]

Makes no odds, not all countries make it to the final at any rate, so will they be missed? No!

[Maru]

Would America not get an invite too?

lol. So they can go through this all over again next year? Headline: "Countries pulling out of Eurovision en masse because of Trump tweet"

It would be more interesting to see a North American variant of Eurovision. We're so wild west over here and could use some collaborative creative flavor.

...Or God forbid a 50-state version of a Eurovision-esk contest... would be instantly political just because of the way our internal all-national culture works via Federalism... most of what gets broadcast internationally seems to be mostly coastal stuff... (the stuff that gets watered down to make us "fit in" more abroad)

[Benjamin]

Rigging the vote to keep the genocidal cheaters in just to lose some of the biggest contributors in response? Eurovision is dead

Spain called the vote and are pissy because they didn’t get the result they wanted. The vote was fair and done the way they asked for it to be done.

Other than Spain, those other countries are not huge contributors. Not when UK, Germany, France and Italy staying in.

[Benjamin]

lol. So they can go through this all over again next year? Headline: "Countries pulling out of Eurovision en masse because of Trump tweet"

It would be more interesting to see a North American variant of Eurovision. We're so wild west over here and could use some collaborative creative flavor.

...Or God forbid a 50-state version of a Eurovision-esk contest... would be instantly political just because of the way our internal all-national culture works via Federalism... most of what gets broadcast internationally seems to be mostly coastal stuff...

I’m sure USA did a state one a while back?

[Maru]

I’m sure USA did a state one a while back?

Maybe in the 60s or 70s? I wouldn't remember, probably.

[Maru]

Spain called the vote and are pissy because they didn’t get the result they wanted. The vote was fair and done the way they asked for it to be done.

Other than Spain, those other countries are not huge contributors. Not when UK, Germany, France and Italy staying in.

They were still melting down the last time I checked.

[arista]

Nickys Nation
and Spain


Both now not doing this Bloody BBC Eurovision



Cancel it


Save my BBC Tax cash I send to them each month.

[Crimson Dynamo]

It does highlight the countries infected with woke mind virus activism so every cloud..

[Barry.]

Maybe in the 60s or 70s? I wouldn't remember, probably.

They did it was hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dog of all people. It was called American song contest

[Barry.]

I’m sad Spain won’t be in as I usually like their music.

[Barry.]

Nickys Nation
and Spain


Both now not doing this Bloody BBC Eurovision



Cancel it


Save my BBC Tax cash I send to them each month.

Cancel it because they won’t do it? Not happening. The Uk will still enter it.

[Crimson Dynamo]

get the far left woke mind virus activists nations binned

:dance::dance::dance::dance:

[Benjamin]

https://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398812

[Benjamin]

I’m sad Spain won’t be in as I usually like their music.

They do usually bring a good tune, but their loss.

[Liam-]

Spain called the vote and are pissy because they didn’t get the result they wanted. The vote was fair and done the way they asked for it to be done.

Other than Spain, those other countries are not huge contributors. Not when UK, Germany, France and Italy staying in.

Tying the participation of Israel as a condition of being allowed much needed new voting measures was a con job.

The Netherlands are the biggest financial contributors outside of the big 5, Spain is one of the big five and Ireland is the country with the most wins of the competition, a main stay, they’re not insignificant losses.

It’s all about the money, they don’t want to lose the sponsorship money so they’re losing many countries in favour of a country actively committing genocide, hopefully more countries follow the actions of the principled countries that have already dropped out of the farce

[Maru]

They did it was hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dog of all people. It was called American song contest

:laugh: Yeah I definitely missed that... I don't know that it was on the same popularity scale as Eurovision here, then. American Idol though was on another level...

[Benjamin]

Tying the participation of Israel as a condition of being allowed much needed new voting measures was a con job.

It’s all about the money, they don’t want to lose the sponsorship money so they’re losing many countries in favour of a country actively committing genocide, hopefully more countries follow the actions of the principled countries that have already dropped out of the farce

They would have lost Germany and Italy had the vote gone the other way. The vote was held fairly, and the outcome was based on the majority.

[Vanessa]

No way. Love Eurovision.

[arista]

No way. Love Eurovision.

But,
So many are now dropping out

[bots]

Advantages:

1.It will cost less to host with fewer countries. So the UK pays less money
2. With fewer entrants, the UK has more chance of winning
3. It will be a shorter show

It's win/win from where i'm standing

[MTVN]

Not sure what the logic is boycotting this year and not previous ones given the changes they've made and now that there is a peace settlement. Makes it seem more driven by spite than principle

[Benjamin]

But,
So many are now dropping out

Only 4 so far. And there’s other countries who can join in replacement of them.

[arista]

Only 4 so far. And there’s other countries who can join in replacement of them.


Soon to be 6 Nations BEN



Belgium and Iceland to Join


GMB ITV Debate

[Benjamin]

Soon to be 6 Nations BEN



Belgium and Iceland to Join


GMB ITV Debate

Well, we may see Kazakhstan and Canada invited. Even if not, there’s still 32 countries participating so far. More than enough.

[OnTheRight]

Lefties crying over some flags on lampposts and crying over a singing game.:laugh::laugh:

[Nicky91]

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

[Nicky91]

Statement of the Israeli Embassy in The Hague;
"The Embassy of Israel regrets the position taken by AVROTROS regarding the Eurovision Song Contest. The Song Contest is intended as a celebration of music and creativity, and the decision by the Dutch broadcaster runs counter to the values that the event stands for. Such a boycott is pointless and ultimately serves only to isolate the Netherlands, not Israel."


truth being spilled by the israeli embassy in The Hague


:D

[Crimson Dynamo]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G7ZU8HoXkAACdPB?format=jpg&name=small

No one is going to miss Ireland

:joker:

[Crimson Dynamo]

Rigging the vote to keep the genocidal cheaters in just to lose some of the biggest contributors in response? Eurovision is dead

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G7XL801XsAArpCe?format=jpg&name=small

[Nicky91]

Belgium are taking part (it was Flanders who were against competing, but Wallonia decides in 2026 so)

Portugal are also taking part

[Nicky91]

Netherlands: NOS and NTR are the broadcasters who are airing the contest next year, and not AVROTROS, and a commentator is yet to be revealed

[Livia]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G7XL801XsAArpCe?format=jpg&name=small

Lol... Love that.

[Nicky91]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G7XL801XsAArpCe?format=jpg&name=small

funny, i don't recall them having started that war, back in 1948

[Crimson Dynamo]

funny, i don't recall them having started that war, back in 1948

https://img.gifglobe.com/grabs/brentcloud/S01E03/gif/OhX1fF9PuJnU.gif

[Glenn.]

Lol... Love that.

Genocide is funny I suppose.

Far right mind virus

[Benjamin]

It’ll be interesting to know if those who support the decision of Spain etc will also not watch next year but have for the past couple with Israel still in it.

[Oliver_W]

Can you really call it a genocide, when their population continues to grow?

If genocide was Israel's aim, they'd blow through a lot more than Hamas' human shields.

[Nicky91]

Georgia confirmed participation meanwhile, same goes for Denmark confirming they are taking part


and Lithuania, Latvia confirmed they are staying in the contest



so likely 35 or 36 countries it seems for Vienna, considering the invite for Kazakhstan had already been sent back in July, and there had been advanced talks, so they'll likely get the ''special surprise announcement'' treatment, like they did with the Luxembourg comeback

[Livia]

Can you really call it a genocide, when their population continues to grow?

If genocide was Israel's aim, they'd blow through a lot more than Hamas' human shields.

It's true. Had Israel used all of its destructive capabilities Gaza would be vast car park now.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Graham Linehan @Glinner
·
4h
Let this remain the frozen face of modern Ireland at Eurovision. Bambi Thug. A
a straight, married woman calling herself 'queer'.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G7fRnqfWIAEOhG0?format=jpg&name=small

[bots]

ireland don't qualify on a regular basis anyway

[Crimson Dynamo]

ireland don't qualify on a regular basis anyway

No wonder

[Nicky91]

ireland don't qualify on a regular basis anyway

yes thanks to that outdated tiny tool Michael Kealy more like


this withdrawal will do Ireland good to come up with a better selection format than that silly Late Late Show national final :laugh:

[arista]

Spain is a former Winner.


Cancel it, is best

[Benjamin]

Spain is a former Winner.


Cancel it, is best

No thanks, just don’t watch it if you’re not happy. No need for it to be cancelled. Spain aren’t that important.

[arista]

Germany has stated that if they remove Israel

They will leave


So Cancel the
whole thing

[Benjamin]

Germany has stated that if they remove Israel

They will leave


So Cancel them
whole thing

Israel isn’t being removed. So Germany are staying.

[arista]

Israel isn’t being removed. So Germany are staying.


Of course
But we have to see if more 4 Nations
withdraw

[Benjamin]

Of course
But we have to see if more 4 Nations
withdraw

Doesn’t matter. There’s at least 32 participating which is enough.

[arista]

Time will tell,


Ben

[Nicky91]

no need to cancel though?


we got 3 returning countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova) that is for sure, however there seems to be a rumour of one more returning country (Monaco) but idk how accurate this rumour exactly is

and then we might have Kazakhstan debuting, and who else they might bring in on an invite (Canada or a surprise with New Zealand as neighbours of Australia)


Bosnia Herzegovina want to return but they still have their debts to clear obviously



anyway the EBU said the 4 withdrawing countries won't be reason to make the contest more expensive in terms of participation fee




Finland are in (they backtracked from re-evaluating participation)

[Nicky91]

Iceland have withdrawn


and this pro palestine boomer is the reason why

https://www.visir.is/i/36E3BA67A09B26C6A95407ED2AF3F36C0C012FFABA59B70FE5 B9E8A30B311ECE_713x0.jpg

Pall Oskar led the protests at the RUV headquarters, so named and shamed by me now

[Nicky91]

Netherlands (a country with vanilla dull uninspiring trash music)
Ireland (a has been once successful nowadays trash music nation)
Spain (a bottom 3 nation LOL with generic stupid dated music)
Slovenia (can't remember a single entry from them lol)
Iceland (a country which hasn't won the contest yet WELP and adds nothing to the contest)


won't miss these 5 :laugh2:

[Nicky91]

also using Israel as an excuse to withdraw from eurovision, is kinda antisemitic :nono: :nono:

[arista]

Iceland have withdrawn



Yes, 5 nations now

[Benjamin]

Iceland have withdrawn



Yes, 5 nations now

No real loss with Iceland. They’re very hit and miss with their entries.

[bots]

they could comfortably hold a competition with half the current entrants

[Benjamin]

they could comfortably hold a competition with half the current entrants

Exactly, worst case scenario they have one semi final instead of 2 or have no semi final at all, like they used to.