Eurovision Israel vote cancelled as nations plan | Music News

A ceasefire was established in Gaza on October 10 after Israel accepted a US-mediated settlement with Hamas, but the next steps of the deal are still unsure, according to BBC reviews.

On Monday, the remaining 20 Israeli hostages have been freed by Hamas in exchange for practically 2000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, including 1700 detained without fees, The Guardian reported, reviews the Mirror.

In a assertion, the EBU said: “In the light of recent developments in the Middle East, the EBU’s executive board (meeting on October 13) agreed there was a clear need to organize an open and in-person discussion among its members on the issue of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

“Consequently, the board agreed to put the issue on the agenda of its atypical winter normal meeting, which shall be happening in December, fairly than organizing an extraordinary session in advance.”

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Last month, the EBU revealed plans to invite 68 member countries to vote on Israel’s participation in the competition at a general assembly meeting in November.

This decision followed announcements from several countries stating they would boycott – or consider boycotting – the contest if Israel is allowed to participate. These countries include Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands.

In a statement released in September, Irish broadcaster RTE declared that they would not participate in the 2026 Eurovision song contest if Israel’s participation proceeds. They added that Ireland’s involvement “can be unconscionable given the continuing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.”

Spain also confirmed its withdrawal from next year’s Eurovision song contest if Israel participates. The head of its state broadcaster stated that “the genocide at the moment happening make[s] it inconceivable for us to look the other method”. Amnesty International decided in December 2024 that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. Leading genocide students have also asserted that Israel’s actions align with the UN definition of genocide.