The Gaza War and the revision of EBU regulations
Political fallout and the five-nation boycott in Vienna
The Ukrainian precedents and the horizon of Burgas 2027
Corporate origins and the trajectory of Moroccanoil
Moroccanoil, the cosmetics company that has served as the principal private financial backer of the musical competition, has decided, according to an official statement from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to terminate a strategic relationship established in 2020.
The more than 200 million television viewers who watch the Eurovision Song Contest annually, live or on delay, represent the largest collective entertainment audience globally, far surpassing numerous international sporting events.
Israelis gather to watch a public screening of the Eurovision Song Contest final in a park near the Mediterranean Sea, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 16 May 2026 – REUTERS/ RONEN ZVULUN
The Gaza War and the revision of EBU regulations
The armed conflict in the Middle East has served as the catalyst for the differences that ultimately triggered the permanent rupture between the sponsor and the EBU. Contest organizers recently announced a substantial amendment to the regulations governing the selection of host countries.
Moving forward, the winning country, which traditionally organizes the following year’s competition, will no longer be eligible to host the event if it is in a state of war. Consequently, winning the contest from 2027 onward no longer automatically confers hosting rights.
Noam Bettan, representing Israel, reacts after receiving points during the grand final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, on 17 May 2026 – REUTERS/LISA LEUTNER
The EBU leadership reserves the right to revoke this convention should an armed conflict or geopolitical crisis compromise the event’s security. The organization may commission an independent technical security assessment of the winning nation’s region, leaving the final determination with the Eurovision Executive Committee to certify whether the host state offers full public and institutional security safeguards.
The logo of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is seen outside its headquarters – REUTERS/ DENIS BALIBOUSE
Political fallout and the five-nation boycott in Vienna
The measure comes in response to mounting tensions surrounding Israel’s delegation at the contest amid military operations in the Gaza Strip monitored by the UN Security Council, where voting patterns have acquired intense political and diplomatic polarization.
The EBU was forced to manage the fallout caused by the withdrawal of five delegations from this year’s edition in Vienna, hosted by Austria’s public broadcaster following its 2025 victory.
Spain, driven by Executive statements and coverage by Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE), led institutional objections, becoming the only member of the Big Five —alongside public broadcasters from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy— to pull out over Israel’s participation. This boycott was joined by the national broadcasters of Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Slovenia.
People hold a banner during a demonstration against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, Austria, 16 May 2026 – REUTERS/ LEONHARD FOEGER
The Ukrainian precedents and the horizon of Burgas 2027
In both 2025 and 2026, Israel’s entry finished as runner-up in the overall voting tally. Regarding normative precedents, Ukraine hosted the event in Kyiv in 2017; however, after winning the 2022 edition, the Russian invasion forced the relocation of the host city to Liverpool in coordination with the BBC.
The contest’s focus now turns to Burgas, Bulgaria, designated as the official host city for the 71st Eurovision Song Contest from 11 to 15 May 2027, while the EBU launches an active search for a new global presenting partner to replace the cosmetics brand.
A pro-Palestinian protester holds a placard against the Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s participation, during a solidarity rally marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, in Sliema, Malta, 16 May 2026 – REUTERS/ DARRIN ZAMMIT
Corporate origins and the trajectory of Moroccanoil
The brand was established by Israeli entrepreneurs Mike and Erik Sabag, who began developing argan oil-infused hair formulations around Tel Aviv in 2003. Subsequently, Canadian entrepreneurs Carmen and Ofer Tal acquired North American distribution rights before taking full ownership of the business in 2008.
The firm formalized its principal sponsorship partnership with the EBU following the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv. The original agreement ran until 2025 and was extended for an additional season following the cancellation of the 2020 edition during the global health crisis.