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EBU European Broadcasting Union

Dara from Bulgaria holds up the trophy after winning the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, in the early hours of May 17, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
August 24, 2026, 3:22 pm
Dutch broadcaster to continue Eurovision boycott over Israel, but Netherlands could still return
AVROTROS says it will sit out 2027 contest since event no longer ‘considered neutral’; decision now returns to umbrella broadcaster NPO, which has yet to make a final ruling
By Amy Spiro
Spectators watch the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv, May 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
August 12, 2026, 8:18 pm
Eyeing Israel’s near-wins, Eurovision to bar conflict-hit countries from hosting contest
Contest winner usually hosts the next year, but new rules appear aimed at Israel, which came in 2nd this year and last; EBU can still allow winning nation to host if safety assured
By Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan from Israel walks onto the stage carrying his country's flag ahead of the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 16, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
July 3, 2026, 10:25 pm
Eurovision chief rules out another vote on Israel: ‘Membership spoke conclusively’
Martin Green dismisses concerns about contest facing financial difficulties after anti-Israel boycott by 5 nations: ‘We’ll be around for many, many, many, many, many years to come’
By Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan from Israel, center, reacts as the points are awarded during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 17, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 17, 2026, 5:02 pm
Defying predictions, Eurovision juries gave Israel a boost amid voting reforms
For 1st time, Israel didn’t win ‘rest of the world’ vote and it received fewer top rankings from nations’ voters than last year, but picked up jury points from 22 of 34 countries
By Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan from Israel performs the song 'Michelle' during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 16, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 17, 2026, 3:13 am
Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes second at Eurovision as Bulgaria takes the win
‘Michelle’ propels Israel to third in the popular vote and its 2nd year in a row as the runner-up, as singer says he ‘tried to stay focused, I sang with joy, with a smile on my face’
By Amy Spiro
Israel's Noam Bettan celebrates qualifying for the grand final, during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 13, 2026, 1:04 am
Despite anti-Israel chants in arena, Israel’s Noam Bettan advances to Eurovision final
Singer says boos were quickly drowned out by support and that he felt he was ‘just singing to Israel’; 4 activists removed from event hall by security after interruptions
By Amy Spiro
Israel's Noam Bettan and his backup dancers performing 'Michelle' during a rehearsal for the Eurovision on May 6, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. (Alma Bengtsson/EBU)
May 11, 2026, 5:03 pm
Boycotts, beats and bling: Eurovision’s 70th edition kicks off in Vienna
With the focus once again on Israel, singers from 35 nations will compete for the top prize in the colorful contest, amid heavy security, expected protests and backstage tension
By Amy Spiro
Israel's Noam Bettan performing 'Michelle' with dancer Lihi Freud during a rehearsal for the Eurovision on May 6, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. (Alma Bengtsson/EBU)
May 10, 2026, 11:09 am
Israel warned by EBU over ad campaign calling to support Noam Bettan at Eurovision
Eurovision director Martin Green says Kan broadcaster was asked to ‘immediately stop any distribution of the videos’ and it did so; Kan simply says it’s following contest rules
By Amy Spiro
Israel's 2026 Eurovision contestant Noam Bettan. (Yair Sigron)
May 8, 2026, 12:07 am
Facing a mixed reception at Eurovision, Noam Bettan is ready ‘to enjoy the journey’
28-year-old singer, born in Israel to French parents, says his years of ‘Sisyphean work’ in the music industry have made him ready to shine ‘the light I have to give to the world’
By Amy Spiro
Austrian singer JJ performs after winning the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, on May 18, 2025. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
April 23, 2026, 7:18 pm
Slovenia says it will air Palestinian documentaries instead of this year’s Eurovision
Among 5 countries that withdrew from contest, only Iceland and the Netherlands will broadcast the 2026 competition, which kicks off next month in Vienna
By Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan, Israel's 2026 Eurovision contestant, poses for a photo in Neve Ilan, near Jerusalem, January 21, 2026. (Yael Abas Guisky/Flash90)
February 6, 2026, 7:30 pm
Noam Bettan to sing Eurovision entry co-written by last year’s contestant Yuval Raphael
Set for release March 5, song features lyrics in Hebrew, English and French and is said to be ‘a slightly different style’ from the ballads submitted by Israel for past two years
By Amy Spiro
Austrian singer JJ performs after winning the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, on May 18, 2025. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
December 15, 2025, 4:24 pm
35 countries confirmed to take part in 2026 Eurovision despite boycotts
While Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, the Netherlands and Iceland quit the contest over Israel’s inclusion, Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria are returning for next year’s show in Austria
By Amy Spiro
Icelandic band Hatari hold up Palestinian flags during the live grand final of the Eurovision in Tel Aviv, May 19, 2019. (Screenshot/YouTube)
December 10, 2025, 9:22 pm
Iceland becomes fifth country to quit Eurovision in protest of Israel’s inclusion
Country’s RUV broadcaster says allowing Israel to stay in contest has ’caused disunity’ as it follows Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Netherlands in withdrawing
By Amy Spiro
The broadcast studio of Kan, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, in Jerusalem, January 31, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
December 5, 2025, 1:58 pm
The next threat to Israel at Eurovision is coming from inside the house
As many Israelis celebrate the EBU decision allowing them to stay in the contest, coalition lawmakers are pushing public broadcasting reforms that would render Israel ineligible
By Amy Spiro
Yuval Raphael from Israel holds the national flag during a dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 16, 2025. (Martin Meissner/AP)
December 4, 2025, 10:33 pm
Israel cleared for Eurovision 2026 in EBU vote; Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia quit
Contest organizers say ‘large majority’ backed measure; Belgium, Iceland yet to decide on participation; Herzog: Israel ‘deserves to be represented on every stage’
By Amy Spiro
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