Martin Green CBE, the Eurovision Director has released a letter addressed to the Eurovision fandom and community in the wake of the latest developments surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest, the geopolitical scenario in the Middle East and the withdrawal of several nations from the competition.
Last week the EBU General Assembly was held in Geneva where the new Eurovision voting rules and measures were ratified by its members. Slovenia, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Iceland have all withdrawn from the competition due to Israel’s participation in the contest.
Martin Green CBE, the Eurovision Director has published a letter addressing the Eurovision fans regarding the latest developments regarding the contest and the withdrawals.
Martin Green CBE’s letter reads:
Dear Fans,
I know that many of you will be feeling strong emotions at this time. I certainly am, which is why I wanted to write directly to you.
I also know you feel strongly about events in the Middle East and how those realities connect to the Eurovision Song Contest. No one can fail to be moved by what we have seen in the region in the past few years. Some of you have written to us, spoken out, or expressed anger and pain at what they see as silence in the face of tragedy. I want to say that we hear you. We understand why you feel so strongly and that we care too.
The Eurovision Song Contest was born 70 years ago – in a divided and fractured Europe – as a symbol of unity, peace, and hope through music. Those foundations have not changed and neither has the Contest’s purpose. This Contest has survived and thrived despite wars, political upheaval, and shifting borders. Through it all, it has remained a place where people from all corners of Europe, and now the world, can come together to celebrate creativity and connection despite, and because of, the world around us.
We know many fans want us to take a defined position on geo-political events. But the only way the Eurovision Song Contest can continue to bring people together is by ensuring we are guided by our rules first and foremost.
As we look to next year, we will ensure that all participating broadcasters respect the rules of the competition and if they don’t you have a personal pledge from me, we will not tolerate it and call it out.
When faced with a divided world, the Eurovision Song Contest has the privileged role to offer a space where millions can celebrate what connects us. A space where music takes centre stage. A space that welcomes everyone – whoever you are, wherever you are, and whatever your views are about the world around us.
I want to say specifically to fans in Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands that your broadcasters, like all our Members made a decision that was right for them and contributed to the debate with great dignity. All of us here respect their position and decision. We will continue to work with them as friends and colleagues in the hope they return to the Contest soon.
Our artists, our delegations, and importantly our fans – each one of you – are the heart of this Contest. We know how much love there is for this event, how many of your lives are built around your passion for the Eurovision Song Contest.
We are committed to doing everything we can so that, for another 70 years and beyond, the Eurovision Song Contest continues to be a place where friendships are forged, languages are learned and new genres and artists are discovered.
In a challenging world we can indeed be United by Music.
With love and gratitude,
Martin Green CBE
Director, Eurovision Song Contest
The deadline for the broadcasters to confirm their participation concluded yesterday 10 December. So far 34 countries have confirmed their participation, whilst we are yet awaiting for Armenia to confirm its participation. Hence circa 35 countries are expected to partake in the competition in Vienna.
The EBU will release the official list of the participating countries at ESC 2026 early next week.
