The Eurovision Song Contest is set to revise its voting procedures following the uproar over Israel’s results in this year’s competition. Allegations of voting irregularities emerged after Israel clinched the public vote by a significant margin, ultimately securing second place overall in a tense finale against Austria. Concerns were raised by national broadcasters from Spain and Belgium, who accused the Eurovision organizers of allowing vote manipulation, noting that televoters in both countries awarded Israel the maximum 12 points, even though their juries had given it none.

Participants in the contest receive scores from both a professional jury and a public vote from each country. Previously, viewers could vote up to 20 times at a small cost per vote via text or phone call. However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that starting with the 2026 Eurovision contest in Vienna, fans will be limited to only 10 votes each. Additionally, the jury system will be reinstated for the Semi-Finals. In a bid to maintain fairness, the organizers will also prohibit competitors and broadcasters from engaging in promotional activities through third parties, including government initiatives.

This development follows reports that an Israeli government agency had sponsored advertisements and leveraged social media to boost votes for its entry. Martin Green, the Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, emphasized in a statement, “We’ve listened and we’ve acted. The neutrality and integrity of the Eurovision Song Contest is of paramount importance to the EBU, its members, and all our audiences. We are taking clear and decisive steps to ensure the contest remains a celebration of music and unity. The contest should remain a neutral space and must not be instrumentalized.”

He added: ‘Alongside the changes we are announcing today, we will also strengthen enforcement of our existing rules to prevent any misuse of the contest for example through song lyrics or staging. And we will work closely with members to ensure they fully understand and are also accountable for upholding the rules and values that define the song contest.’ 

Changes to Eurovision’s voting system come after the contest’s organisers were due to vote this month on whether Israel can participate in the show next year, as calls have mounted for the country to be excluded over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. National broadcasters of the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland and Spain have said they will boycott the 70th song contest in Vienna or consider not taking part if Israel does. But last month, the vote was called off following developments in the Middle East conflict which saw Israel and Hamas ink a ceasefire deal.

Earlier this week, Austrian national broadcaster ORF, which will host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, said it wants Israel to take part despite several countries’ and hopes it can host the biggest event in years despite boycott threats. Hamas-led militants took 251 hostages during the October 7 attacks on southern Israel and killed another 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed nearly 69,000 Palestinians, health officials in the enclave say.