Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker has taken a firm stance in favor of Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which will be hosted in Vienna, describing a potential exclusion as a “fatal mistake” — particularly given Austria’s historical responsibility.
In an interview with the dpa news agency, Stocker stated:
“It would be a fatal mistake to exclude Israel. Our history alone is enough for me never to support such a decision,”
he said, referring to Austria’s responsibility for the crimes committed during the Holocaust.
While acknowledging that the ceasefire in Gaza has changed the situation, the Austrian leader admitted that the debate surrounding Israel’s participation has “cast a shadow” over the preparations for the contest.
A few weeks ago, Austrian media reported that both the government and the Chancellor himself had pressured public broadcaster ORF to withdraw from hosting Eurovision 2026 should Israel be excluded from the competition. This claim was met with skepticism from supporters of a potential boycott if Israel’s participation were approved. However, following Stocker’s public statement, there is now no doubt about the full support of both the Chancellor and the Austrian government for Israel’s continued participation in the contest.
The final decision is expected in December, when the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will meet with its members to determine its position. Countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland have already threatened to boycott the event if Israel remains in the lineup, citing Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian population.
So far, there appears to be no vote planned on the issue, but rather a discussion among member broadcasters.
The war in Gaza began after the attack by Hamas and other armed militant groups on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of approximately 250.
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Source: anews