![\"Yuval](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/64d5f1fde35b59ac9c6335b75b51ecc2.jpeg\"\/)
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Yuval Raphael represented Israel at Eurovision in 2025 PETER SCHNEIDER\/EPA-EFE\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
The controversy around Israel\u2019s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest continues to escalate, as one participating country has now said it will not return to the contest unless the Israeli delegation is not invited next year.<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s involvement in Eurovision has long been a contentious subject <\/a>as a result of the political situation in the Middle East, but in the last two years, the conversation has grown louder<\/a>, with many fans boycotting the contest due to the country\u2019s continued presence<\/a>, and several participating broadcasters raising their concerns about the situation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, discussions took place among Eurovision\u2019s participating broadcasters<\/a> about whether Israel should remain part of the contest despite the ongoing war in Gaza, with the situation due to be reassessed in the autumn.<\/p>\n The Slovenian broadcaster RTVSLO has now said it will only return to Eurovision next year if Israel is banned, similarly to how Russia has not been invited to take part in the competition since its invasion of Ukraine<\/a> in 2022.<\/p>\n Slovenian singer Klemen rehearsing for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest via Associated Press<\/p>\n RTVSLO\u2019s communication department has now issued a statement, translated by the fansite ESC Today<\/a>, which said that its decision about whether to return to Eurovision would be made imminently.<\/p>\n \u201cBy this time, it should be clear whether the EBU will make any decision regarding Israel\u2019s participation and whether it will take into account the comments of several EBU member states regarding the transparency of voting,\u201d they said. \u201cAt that time, it will be clear whether [we still want] to participate in this competition.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the EBU General Assembly, which was held in London at the beginning of July, RTV Slovenia presented its position that if Israel were to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest \u2013 due to the genocide in Gaza \u2013 it would not participate in the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe EBU is currently holding talks with its members regarding Israel\u2019s possible participation in the future competition,\u201d they concluded.<\/p>\n HuffPost UK has contacted the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for comment.<\/p>\n A host of former contestants and acts associated with the competition<\/a> \u2013 as well as reigning champion JJ from Austria<\/a> and last year\u2019s winner Nemo from Switzerland<\/a>, who shared their take on the matter\u00a0during a recent exclusive interview with HuffPost UK<\/a> \u2013 are also calling for Israel\u2019s expulsion from Eurovision.<\/p>\n Austrian performer JJ won Eurovision this year, and has since called for Israel’s expulsion from the contest via Associated Press<\/p>\n Meanwhile, back in July, it was reported by Israel\u2019s N12 News<\/a> (as cited by The National<\/a>) that the national broadcasters for Germany and Italy had threatened to pull out of Eurovision if Israel was not permitted to return to the event in 2026.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Germany\u2019s S\u00fcdwestrundfunk<\/a> (SWR) later told HuffPost UK<\/a>: \u201cThe Eurovision Song Contest is a major musical event that has brought people across Europe and beyond together for decades\u00a0\u2013 diverse and respectful, regardless of origin, religion, or belief.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ESC is a music competition organised by EBU broadcasters, not governments. The Israeli broadcaster KAN adheres to applicable regulations and has been an integral part of the music competition for more than 60 years. We affirm their membership and the core values of the ESC.<\/p>\n \u201cWe welcome the process initiated by EBU Director General Noel Curran. A former senior TV executive will engage in a structured, open dialogue with the members over the coming months to explore various perspectives and identify courses of action. The goal should be a well-founded and sustainable solution in line with the EBU\u2019s values.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Slovenian](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/7c5b16068af72ce23568ac2c27e4ded1.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Austrian](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1db0abede30867aab0e05457b08314ac.jpeg\"\/)
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