27.09.2025 23:20
A critical development has occurred following calls for Israel not to participate in the Eurovision contest due to the attacks on Gaza, which have drawn reactions from numerous countries. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has called on member countries to vote on Israel's participation in the 2026 contest.
```html
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) called for a vote to remove Israel from the competition in a message sent to its 68 member broadcasters.
In response to Israel's attacks on Gaza and the blockade it has imposed, Eurovision also dealt a blow to Israel. After many countries announced that they would withdraw from the competition if Israel participated, the European Broadcasting Union took a critical step.
VOTING CALL
In the call sent to its 68 member broadcasters, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) stated that the decision in the vote to remove Israel from the competition would be made by a simple majority. Accordingly, if more than 50% of the members vote against Israel, Israel will not be able to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
NON-PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES WILL ALSO VOTE
Not only the countries actively participating in the competition but all EBU member broadcasters will be included in the vote. Countries that have not participated in the competition for a long time, such as Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, and Lebanon, will also have the right to vote.
ISRAEL HAD COME IN SECOND
In last year's Eurovision, Israel competed with singer Yuval Raphael. Raphael finished in second place in the competition.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
Due to Israel's operations in Gaza, many artists and civil society organizations, especially in Europe, had called for Israel's disqualification from the competition. Artists and broadcasting organizations from countries such as Iceland, Norway, Ireland, and Switzerland also supported the boycott calls.
```