Slovenia urges EBU to “think twice” as Israel’s Eurovision return sparks fresh division

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has cancelled its extraordinary vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, citing “developments in the Middle East” — namely the recently signed peace plan for Gaza and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The decision effectively delays any ruling on Israel’s fate until December’s General Assembly, where the issue may reappear on the agenda. But not everyone in Europe is impressed by the EBU’s cautious diplomacy — least of all Slovenia.

Slovenia’s RTV chief: “A ceasefire is not a free pass”

In a statement to TV Slovenija, Natalija Gorščak, president of the management board of RTV Slovenia, said bluntly:

“A simple ceasefire cannot be the reason to immediately agree that Israel returns to Eurovision.”

Gorščak went further, arguing that the EBU would have been wiser to exclude Israel for one year to “avoid all possible political complications that may follow.”

Her remarks reflect growing unease among smaller public broadcasters, who feel that the EBU’s famed political neutrality is now being stretched beyond credibility.

Austria calls for calm — but tensions rise

Meanwhile, Austria, the 2026 host nation, has urged countries not to boycott Eurovision over Israel’s inclusion. The Austrian national broadcaster ORF, which will stage the 70th edition of the contest in Vienna, welcomed the EBU’s decision to postpone the vote.

Still, political contradictions abound. Just weeks ago, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker declared that Austria would not host the contest if Israel were banned. In a Europe increasingly split between cultural solidarity and political principle, Vienna now finds itself performing an awkward diplomatic waltz.

Divided Europe, uncertain future

So far, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Spain — a member of the Big Five — have all threatened to withdraw if Israel participates. Belgium’s public broadcaster has since voiced support for their position, creating an unprecedented rift ahead of the Vienna 2026 contest.

Whether the EBU can hold the Eurovision family together remains to be seen. For now, its official line is that discussions must continue “in an open and personal setting.” But as one Slovenian commentator noted drily:

“If Eurovision is supposed to unite nations, maybe the EBU should start by uniting its own members.”

Source: RTVSLO