The EBU has released a statement regarding the the reaction to the EBU’s General Assembly discussion in Geneva.
In the wake of the latest developments surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest and the ratification of the new Eurovision voting rules and measures at the EBU’s General Assembly in Geneva and the discussion on Israel’s participation, the EBU has published a statement regarding this matter.
Five countries have withdrawn from the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2026 due to Israel’s participation in the competition: Slovenia, Spain, Iceland, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The EBU’s statement reads:
In the wake of the recent General Assembly discussion on the Eurovision Song Contest, several EBU Members have been criticized for the position they took in the debate.
While public service media is always open to criticism and critique, the EBU feels that some of the attacks on our Members – on both sides of the argument – have been completely inaccurate and ill-informed.
The debate on the Eurovision Song Contest was respectful and articulate. Members expressing their opinions were reflecting their own and their audience views on this difficult issue, not those of any political perspective or political party.
The EBU respects the right of Members to make an individual decision on participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, whatever that decision.
We look forward to working with those taking part in Vienna and hope that those important Members who will not participate in 2026 will be back in the Eurovision Song Contest very soon. We will continue to work with them to try to achieve this.
