Austria has once again signaled its political backing for Israel, this time in the context of Eurovision. As debate intensifies over whether Israel should be allowed to participate in the 2026 contest in Vienna, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger has issued a personal appeal to countries threatening to withdraw.
In a letter sent on Friday to her counterparts in Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, and Belgium, Meinl-Reisinger urged them to reconsider boycott plans linked to Israel’s participation and the ongoing war in Gaza.
“As foreign minister of the host country, I am deeply concerned about the risk of a rift within the Eurovision family,” she wrote. “A boycott would only deepen divisions and deprive artists and audiences of dialogue, without offering any relief in Gaza or advancing peace.”
The move represents a rare diplomatic intervention in Eurovision matters, underscoring Austria’s determination to shield the contest from political polarization. Spain recently announced it would withdraw if Israel is allowed to compete, while other European countries have expressed similar positions, with Belgian broadcaster VRT declaring its support.
A final decision on Israel’s participation in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be made on December 4–5, during the EBU General Assembly in Geneva. Public broadcasters then have until mid-December to confirm whether they will take part in the upcoming event, scheduled for May 13, 15, and 17 in Vienna.
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Source: Reuters