Eurovision Song Contest

Israel will take part in the first Eurovision semifinal, EBU announces

This year’s Eurovision contest will take place in Austria in May, with the semifinals set for May 12 and May 14 and the finals on May 16.

ISRAEL HAS been singled out as no country ever has been before at Eurovision. Here, viewers cheer as they watch this year’s Eurovision Song Contest finals being screened at a community center in Tel Aviv, in May.
 Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.

Boycotts and rule changes don’t stop Israel topping Eurovision odds

Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.

Eurovision host says it won't ban Palestinian flags, drown out boos during Israel's performance

Nemo, representing Switzerland, performs "The Code" during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, May 11, 2024.

Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo announces they are returning their trophy in protest against Israel


Netherlands to not join Eurovision if Israel participates, says broadcaster

The European Broadcasting Union which organizes the event said on Thursday it understood the "concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East."

Eurovision 2026 logo

Ireland to skip Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, Irish broadcaster says

The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes and produces the event, said it understood the "concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East."

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

EBU decides not to vote on expelling Israel from Eurovision – for now

The Eurovision Fun website reported that the issue of Israeli participation has been tabled until the EBU meets again in the winter.

 YUVAL RAPHAEL and  Elphaba in ‘Wicked.’ Kindred spirits.

Israeli artists should compete in Eurovision under a neutral flag, Icelandic official suggests

The EBU will discuss a call from Iceland’s public broadcaster to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest in its upcoming meeting of the EBU General Assembly in London.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, attends the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025

Iceland to call for EBU to ban Israel at London meeting in July

The EBU will discuss a call from Iceland’s public broadcaster to ban Israel from Eurovision in its upcoming meeting of the EBU General Assembly in London.

 A person holds a flag during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, May 12, 2024.

Iran angered by Israel’s Eurovision success - opinion

The Iranian regime was enraged by Azerbaijan’s “douze points” to Israel.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise," during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025

My Word: Yuval Raphael shines at Eurovision despite international political clashes

Israel's Yuval Raphael carried her head high in a show of grace and strength at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel.

 YUVAL RAPHAEL, enveloped by an Israeli flag at the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, was also enveloped by the Israeli people.

Austria’s Eurovision winner says he hopes Israel will be excluded next year

We’ve seen sore losers with this year’s Eurovision, and now there’s a sore winner; Austria's JJ.

 JJ, Austria's victorious representative at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.

Spanish PM claims Israel's Eurovision participation shows EBU's double standard

Sanchez's calls to disqualify Israel from Eurovision were out of the need to "show solidarity with the Palestinian people."

 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2025.

Yuval Raphael is a symbol of Israel's astonishing resilience - editorial

Maybe people were simply voting for the song and the performance, not expressing any deeper political sentiment. Either way, we have reason to feel proud.

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise," during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025