On Thursday, national broadcasters responsible for the Eurovision Song Contest, which captivates millions of viewers around the globe, are set to gather to determine Israel’s eligibility to compete next year. This comes in the wake of some countries threatening to withdraw if Israel isn’t excluded due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The meeting will take place at the European Broadcasting Union’s headquarters in Geneva. It aims to address new regulations meant to prevent undue governmental and third-party influence in promoting songs to manipulate voter outcomes. This follows allegations that Israel may have unfairly advanced its entrant in the contest this year.

If consensus among members cannot be reached, a vote on Israel’s continued participation might be considered.

Several nations, including Spain, have expressed concerns, accusing Israel of violating the contest’s rules, which emphasize political neutrality. They argue that Israel’s participation is unacceptable given the current conflict in Gaza.

Israel, which secured second place in this year’s competition, has yet to address these allegations directly. However, it often contends that it is the target of an international smear campaign.

Opponents of Israel’s participation highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the death toll has exceeded 70,000, according to local health officials.

The war was sparked by the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s 2025 contest entrant, Raphael, was at the Nova music festival during the Hamas attack.

Yuval Raphael singing ‘New Day Will Rise’ at the Grand Final of Eurovision 2025, where she came in second overall while also winning the popular vote

The Eurovision Song Contest, which dates back to 1956, reaches around 160 million viewers, according to the EBU. By contrast the U.S. Super Bowl this year drew almost 128 million, according to Nielsen, which measures global media audiences.

The contest faces a ‘watershed moment’, said Eurovision expert Paul Jordan. Public broadcasters from Slovenia, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands are threatening to boycott the May 2026 event, to be hosted by Austria, if Israel is allowed to compete.

If members are not convinced that the new rules, which aim to protect the contest’s neutrality and impartiality, are adequate, there will be a vote on participation, the EBU said.

Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer told Reuters that Germany should not participate in Eurovision if Israel is excluded.

‘Israel belongs in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC),’ he said. ‘There must be no ESC without Israel.’

Israeli Eurovision fans could be disappointed if European broadcasting body moves to ban Israel from participating in next year’s contest 

Israeli singer Yuval Raphael pictured with fans at last year’s Eurovision song contest. She was inspired to participate in the contest after surviving October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas

 A spokesperson for German broadcaster ARD said: ‘We hope for constructive discussions and solutions within the EBU that are consistent with the values of the EBU and the ESC.’ Austrian host broadcaster ORF wants Israel to compete.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN said it is preparing for next year’s contest and will soon release changes to its entry selection process. KAN added it will present its position on possible disqualification at the meeting.

Under the new EBU rules, an expanded professional jury will be reintroduced at the semi-final stage and will have about 50% of the vote. The other half will remain a public vote.

Audience members will now have a maximum of 10 rather than 20 votes to cast.

‘Fans will be actively encouraged to share their support across multiple entries,’ the EBU stated.