Eurovision Song Contest 2026

TheIrishGrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123850547#Comment_123850547

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U_-5j9gxCA

Maybe…

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123850547#Comment_123850547

Are you sure. I have never seen anything to suggest FIFA can over rule who isnt allowed to play for a regional association.

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123850491#Comment_123850491

The Israeli broadcaster has not broken any rules of the EBU so it's difficult to see how this has come about or how they can argue for their suspension from the organisation. The Russian broadcasters for example were suspended for breaking EBU rules around the spreading of misinformation and were likely to be expelled only for they withdrew from the EBU. I'm very interested to see how Israel can be kicked here

UEFA is a different story altogether. They proactively kicked Russia out because of the war and could, in theory do the exact same for Israel if they wanted to

In both cases, this war has been ongoing for almost 2 years, why has there been such a long wait for anything to happen from either organisation?

saabsaab

Just putting this here

'Respect for Voting: Maintaining the integrity of the voting
process is vital. We appreciate everyone’s commitment to
upholding this integrity. Any manipulation, or attempt to
influence the results or the outcome of the ESC is not
permitted and will be severely sanctioned in accordance
with this Code of Conduct and the ESC Rules.
of5 24 December 2024 1.1'

Rawr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123856334#Comment_123856334

If I were Isreal, wanted to be cheeky, and play the EBU at their rulebook here; I’d point out that the Isreali State did the voting shenanigans…and not the broadcaster itself….thus shielding it from sanction.

Of course that’s just a technicality, they really should be sanctioned for the voting shenanigans alone…not to mention everything else.

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123851491#Comment_123851491

"The EBU has announced that no Russian act will participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. 

The Executive Board of the EBU made the decision following a recommendation earlier today by the Eurovision Song Contest's governing body, the Reference Group, based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU. The Reference Group recommendation was also supported by the EBU’s Television Committee.

The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute. 

Before making this decision the EBU took time to consult widely among its membership."

There would seem clear grounds for disqualifying Israel using the exact same criteria, 'bringing the competition into disrepute'.

Rawr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123857077#Comment_123857077

It is certainly an argument they could use again. You could almost say that the ESC is already in disrepute at this stage, but failing to remove Isreal now would be indefensible. You can also be certain that if Isreal do attend ESC 2026, they’ll try the same vote manipulation tricks that nearly won ESC 2025 for them. They want a win, and they want that win to bring the event to Tel Aviv to culture-wash their actions in Gaza. Hell…I wouldn’t even put it past them trying to host it Jerusalem as bit of a middle finger to the 2-State Solution.

The way I see it is the EBU have two choices; either remove Isreal and try to wash the Contest of this kind of moral stain, or let Isreal continue to compete (regardless of what they do) and insure the eventual end of the Contest. I really don’t think this would survive Isreal hosting it again, and Isreal are doing their damnest to make a win happen.

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123857573#Comment_123857573

Note too how Eurovision 2022 in Turin without Russia wasn't seen as a controversial. But the editions in 2024 and 2025 with Israel in whilst carrying out its genocide and war crimes was absolutely mired in controversy, backstage drama and constant infighting.

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123857573#Comment_123857573

I said in a previous post that Israel might (though unlikely) lie low at Eurovision 2026 in order to take some of the heat off in terms of voter manipulation. If it doesn't do that, then I would say it's guaranteed Israel will win next year. They know how to manipulate the televote, and because it was the juries who blocked them this year, they'll be the ones manipulated next. Once they do that, there's no stopping an Israeli win.

And that might just kill the Eurovision Song Contest once and for all.

If it doesn't kill it straight away, then what will 2027 look like? Even those countries that support Israel won't want to travel there, so it would be another proxy hosting, most likely in Germany. I can't see any other broadcaster taking it on - while the UK is supportive of Israel, the public mood is changing and the BBC has a handy get-out clause of "We did it last time a proxy was needed."

Remember "You'll Never Walk Alone" in Liverpool? While I'm not a fan of the "medley from former participants" interval acts, you can't argue that it was an incredibly moving moment, uniting Europe in support of Ukraine. We'd probably get some sort of German-Israeli version of it, which go down across most of Europe like a cup of cold sick.

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123857077#Comment_123857077

Not sure where you read that but it's completely untrue

Quantum Erasure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123858779#Comment_123858779

Its a direct quote from 2022, not referencing this year

https://eurovision.tv/mediacentre/release/ebu-statement-russia-2022

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123858801#Comment_123858801

I mean it's not the reason the Russian broadcasters were suspended and faced expulsion so that's curious... In any case, applying these rules to Israel would surely have happened 2 years ago if it were to happen

Not sure how the Eurovision organisers can argue against their inclusion in 2026 but in 2024 and 2025 their inclusion was fine

Quantum Erasure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123858929#Comment_123858929

Not to get into it, but /some/ response to oct 7th was to be expected, and justified, so you could maybe understand 2024 at least

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123858929#Comment_123858929

I don't think "The EBU and the participating countries allowed Israel to compete in 2024 and 2025 so they can't be kicked out in 2026" is a particularly strong argument.

There still was sympathy in some quarters for Israel in 2024, and I assume the EBU hoped it would all be sorted or pushed out of the news by 2025. In the last two years, we've seen Israel bully other delegations, manipulate the televote and there's been recent confirmation from the UN that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. We all know more than we did two years ago, the circumstances have changed, so I don't think just because Israel was allowed to compete previously gives them a guaranteed right to participate. Russia invaded Crimea in 2014 and were allowed continue in the contest, but no one argued in 2022: "Well, Russia was allowed compete after Crimea, so we can't kick them out now."

Rawr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123859222#Comment_123859222

I would add that the Russia’s participation in 2015 and up until their eventual ejection just underlines how much EBU need to get their act together. 2014 was essentially the beginning of the Ukraine- Russia War and Russia illegally stealing a large chunk of a neighbour (and EBU member nation) should have been enough to trigger an ejection.

I specifically remember 2015 being branded as «Building Bridges», and bless their cotton socks the Austrians tried their damnedest to stop people booing the Russians, but they failed and ended up having to employ anti-booing measures. In an oddly familiar situation, Russia also ended up in second place in the 2015 ESC.

It should have been clear in 2015, and going forward, that if a participating state is performing crimes against humanity, then they should not be in the Eurovision. (Apologies for the shoutyness there, but it’s pretty obvious, surely)

The EBU should grow a spine and not be afraid to ban a nation who’s government policy is to bomb & starve a million plus people to death for being the wrong race/religion.

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123858929#Comment_123858929

It's the actual press release issued by the EBU on the day Russia was disqualified. Russia announced the following day they were suspending their membership of the EBU, but they had already been suspended / disqualified from ESC 2022 24 hours earlier (February 25th).

On your second point, Israel have continued with their genocide for two years and show no sign of stopping. Perhaps the EBU felt in late 2024 / early 2025 there might be a chance of the slaughter halting and there being some sort of a ceasefire and peace process, but the penny has now dropped that Netanyahu intends carrying on no matter what.

yerwanthere123

The Danish broadcaster reveal they won't be voting in favour of Israel's exclusion

https://ekstrabladet.dk/underholdning/kultur/dr-melder-ud-vil-ikke-stemme-israel-ud-af-eurovision/10961948

Quite a surprising one really, I'd have thought they'd be a reliable one in this regard.

I reckon Israel will be there next year, and the EBU are exploring how to make a contest work with circa 30 countries.

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123864365#Comment_123864365

I was typing up a reply, then I got the beachball of death. I managed to take a screenshot before force quitting Safari:

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123864365#Comment_123864365

Not massively surprising… I'd imagine any broadcaster who provisionally confirmed their attendance at ESC 2026 won't be voting Israel out, that's 24 countries at last count

That means it's only ourselves and the other 6 boycotters that will definitely be voting them out. Last year the contest had 37 entries, it could potentially have up-to 40 entries this year. Unless I'm wrong it's looking good for KAN to retain their position

yerwanthere123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123864683#Comment_123864683

Up to 40? If there's 7 withdrawing then where's the extra 10 coming from? I think only Moldova are returning this year (so far), and it's not looking like there'll be any new additions. I know you're rooting for Israel pretty hard, but up to 40 in the current circumstances seems rather delusional.

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123864797#Comment_123864797

Eurovision had 40 entries in 2022, think the record was 43 in 2018

What makes you say I'm rooting for Israel?

Quantum Erasure

Whole thing could be moot if there's a ceasefire ....

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123866185#Comment_123866185

Probably a peace treaty moreso than a ceasefire would be required. Either of them would require Likud, Hamas and the US republicans to give a f**k about the people in Gaza. Given how good the war is for them I don't see a ceasefire happening anytime soon. But I hope I'm wrong!

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123866185#Comment_123866185

I don't think so. There's still the mass manipulation of voting last year.

derb12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123867079#Comment_123867079

hopefully there will be a ceasefire and an end to the war that doesn’t do further damage to Palestine.
but unless the EBU address the voting vulnerabilities, Israel will win next time.

supereurope

Eurovision has to die because of German guilt:

Here's the link to the article (in Dutch):

https://www.volkskrant.nl/cultuur-media/merz-alleen-duitse-deelname-eurovisie-songfestival-als-israel-mee-mag-doen~ba19a57f/

fitz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123882727#Comment_123882727

I'd be fine with Germany not taking part, tbh. They haven't had a good song in years.

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123884901#Comment_123884901

I liked Baller this year, but yeah, you have to go back to 2018 to find the previous decent German entry. 2019 was a particular low point, two women just shouting "Sister" at each other. The first recipient of a "I'm sorry, zero points", and richly deserved.

So, I assume the question for the EBU is: who leaving will result in a bigger hole in the finances, Germany+Israel, or Spain+Ireland+Netherlands+Slovenia (and possibly Iceland+Belgium)?

Worth mentioning as well that Metz hasn't the power to pull Germany from Eurovision, and ARD has previously said it would respect the result of the vote, so for them to then pull out if the result doesn't go their way would look terrible.

Welsh Megaman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123884901#Comment_123884901

Wash your mouth out! 😁

https://youtu.be/1m0VEAfLV4E?si=t4S2lN1fcIsjTriZ

fitz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123886166#Comment_123886166

This is an abomination.

Tbf, I'd forgotten about Baller. That's a good tune.

With one of the big 5 already saying they'll pull out if Israel are included (Spain), then I think German withdrawal threats in the other direction carry less weight than they did last year, and if ARD have said they'll abide by the outcome of the vote, I can't see them capitulating to Metz.