In an interview with APA, the ORF Director General, Roland Weißmann, has commented on the debate regarding Israel’s Eurovision participation, a potential boycott and how preparations for the contest are progressing.
With ORF hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, its Director General Roland Weißmann, is at the centre of debates surrounding the competition as it heads into its 70th year. In an interview with the APA, Mr Weißmann explained that he and ORF Foundation Board Chairman Heinz Lederer are speaking with EBU member broadcasters regarding Israel’s participation in the competition, commenting, “It’s a time for diplomacy – both in front of and behind the scenes,”. Mr Lederer added that “We want Israel to participate.”
The European Broadcasting Union was due to organise an extradordinary general assembly, where full members of the organisation would be able to vote in November to determine whether Israel would be able to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Israel’s participation in the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest would have been determined by a simple majority of members either voting for or against Israel being allowed to compete in the contest. The matter is now due to be discussed at the European Broadcasting Union General Assembly in early December.
Since late August, RTVSLO (Slovenia), RTÉ (Ireland), AVROTROS (Netherlands) and RTVE (Spain) have all stated that they would not compete if Israel takes part in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. Discussing how many countries can be expected to compete in Vienna, Mr Weißmann added “I expect that many countries will participate in the anniversary year.” When asked about the risk of a boycott, the Director General explained, “The financial risk is very manageable. If one or two countries do not participate, it is absolutely manageable,”
Regarding how preparations are progressing for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, the ORF Director General explained, “Preparations are going extremely well. We’re well on schedule because we know from the past how important it is to get started on day one.” Currently, work is focused on the stage design with initial drafts from Florian Wieder presented to ORF, which, according to the Director General, are “sensational”.
Eurovision 2026
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna following JJ’s victory for Austria with “Wasted Love” in Basel. Both semi-finals are scheduled for May 12 and 14, while the Grand Final will take place on May 16. The contest will be hosted at the Wiener Stadthalle, the same venue used in 2015, which can accommodate up to 16,000 spectators.
Image source: ORF/EBU | Source: APA
