Switzerland Says “Keep Calm and Carry On” as It Backs Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Spot
While some broadcasters are quietly biting their tongues, Switzerland’s SRG SSR has decided to make a cuppa, sit up straight and defend Israel’s right to compete in Eurovision 2026 – all while politely reminding everyone that this is a song contest, not a summit on global diplomacy.
Speaking to Israeli outlet Mako, Edi Estermann, Head of Communications at the Swiss public broadcaster and spokesperson for Eurovision 2025, made it crystal clear: Israel is welcome on the Eurovision stage, and no, they’re not about to turn it into a political tug-of-war.
“Eurovision is a collaboration between broadcasters, not governments,” said Estermann, before adding the type of sentence you’d expect from someone who’s lived through one too many heated group chats: “We must avoid attempts to misuse this platform for political messaging.”
Well, that’s them told.
EBU Talks, But Switzerland Walks the Walk
This diplomatic mic drop comes hot on the heels of tensions within the EBU, following the fallout from Israel’s participation in 2025. At a recent Reference Group meeting, the mood reportedly ranged from “we’re just asking questions” to full-blown existential dread about what Eurovision has become.
And just when you thought Switzerland might do what it usually does – stay neutral – SRG SSR stepped up to publicly support KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, stating that politics have no place in the Eurovision Song Contest. Which is almost as bold as sending a yodeler to sing in semi-final two.
With ARD (Germany) and RAI (Italy) also voicing similar support, the camp backing Israel’s presence in Eurovision 2026 is growing stronger – and more vocal.
A Contest, Not a Crisis
Estermann’s remarks echo a broader unease about how the Eurovision brand is being pulled in every political direction imaginable. And while the Swiss don’t often speak loudly in public, when they do, it tends to carry weight – especially when backed by chocolate and credibility.
At the heart of the matter lies a simple yet powerful plea: let’s keep Eurovision what it has always promised to be – a stage where music triumphs over politics, and where sequins sparkle brighter than ideologies.
So, will the EBU listen? That, my dear reader, remains to be seen. But Switzerland has made its move – and it’s as cool, composed and quietly firm as you’d expect.
Source: Mako- Eurovisionfun
