The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is set to hold an emergency vote in November to determine if Israel will be allowed to participate in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, following growing dissent from several member countries over the Gaza conflict.
Deepening Division Over Israel’s Role in Eurovision
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the Eurovision Song Contest, has called for an extraordinary general meeting in early November to vote on whether Israel should be allowed to compete in the 2025 contest. The decision comes amid escalating tensions and mounting pressure from several member broadcasters who are threatening to boycott the event in protest of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
In an internal email reviewed by The New York Times and Norway’s VG newspaper, the EBU acknowledged the “unprecedented disagreement” among its members concerning Israel’s participation through its public broadcaster, KAN. The controversy surrounding Israel’s involvement has intensified following its ongoing military operation in Gaza, which has led to significant humanitarian concerns and widespread global criticism.
Boycott Threats from Multiple Countries
Over the past few weeks, major national broadcasters in European countries such as Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands have stated they would withdraw from the competition if Israel is permitted to take part. These broadcasters argue that Israel’s presence would be incompatible with the contest’s ideals, pointing to the civilian toll in the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian crisis unfolding there.
Countries calling for Israel’s exclusion argue that allowing it to participate would contradict the event’s longstanding commitment to unity and peace. On the other hand, member states such as Austria, the host of the 2025 edition of Eurovision, have urged restraint and encouraged broader dialogue before taking any decisive action.
Eurovision Finds Itself in Uncharted Territory
This crisis marks one of the most serious challenges in Eurovision’s modern history. The song contest, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2024, has largely been seen as a non-political cultural celebration aimed at uniting people through music. In recent years, however, geopolitical disputes have increasingly complicated its efforts to remain apolitical.
Last year, more than 160 million people watched the Eurovision Song Contest across Europe and beyond, underscoring its wide-reaching cultural impact. Israel has participated in the competition almost every year since 1973 and has won the contest four times, most recently in 2018.
In May 2025, Israeli contestant Yuval Raphael secured second place with the song “New Day Will Rise,” despite public protests and demonstrators outside the venue during the final in Malmö, Sweden.
Denmark’s Conditional Commitment
While the debate continues in other European capitals, Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) has already laid out its stance on Israel’s potential inclusion. Gustav Lützhøft, head editor of culture, debate, and music at DR, confirmed last week that Denmark intends to participate in the 2025 contest in Vienna, but only under specific conditions.
DR’s position hinges on three non-negotiable requirements: the contest must maintain a broad European unity, security must be guaranteed for all participants and visitors, and most importantly, the event must remain as politically neutral as possible. If any of these conditions are compromised, DR has stated it will reconsider its participation.
What Happens Next?
The upcoming emergency vote could set a significant precedent for Eurovision, as it will test the EBU’s ability to balance its principles of inclusion and neutrality with growing calls for ethical accountability. The decision will not only influence which countries will appear on the Eurovision stage in 2025 but could also radically reshape the contest’s role in a polarized global environment.
With more than 70 member broadcasters across Europe, and increasingly, globally, the outcome of the vote may deepen divisions, or perhaps, unify the member nations around a new standard for participation. The meeting in November will mark a critical moment as the Eurovision community confronts one of its most delicate and politically charged debates in its decades-long history.
