Eurovision Broadcasting Union

Boycotts and rule changes don’t stop Israel topping Eurovision odds

Israel leads Eurovisionworld.com’s early odds with 10%, followed by Sweden 9%, Ukraine 7%, Finland 6%, and Italy 5%.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.
Pro-Palestinian protestors hold a flag and a banner outside the RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Irish public service broadcaster television studios as demonstrators call for an Irish boycott of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if there is Israeli participation, in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2025.

Eurovision host says it won't ban Palestinian flags, drown out boos during Israel's performance

The 70th edition of the contest in May will have just 35 entries, the fewest since 2003, after five national broadcasters said they would boycott the show in protest against Israel's participation.

|ByREUTERS
ISRAEL HAS been singled out as no country ever has been before at Eurovision. Here, viewers cheer as they watch this year’s Eurovision Song Contest finals being screened at a community center in Tel Aviv, in May.

Eurovision rule changes threaten Israel's chances at success amid boycotts

CULTURAL AFFAIRS: Iceland joins a growing list of countries boycotting Eurovision 2026 due to Israel’s participation, as new voting rules create challenges for Israel’s success.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
Nemo, representing Switzerland, performs "The Code" during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, May 11, 2024.

Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo announces they are returning their trophy in protest against Israel

The comments are the latest protest against the European Broadcasting Union, which has seen five countries pull out after it cleared Israel last week to take part in next year's event in Austria.

|ByREUTERS

Boycotts could hurt Eurovision budget but not the 'show,' host ORF says

At a meeting on Thursday, national broadcasters that make up the European Broadcasting Union cleared Israel to take part in the next contest in May

DECEMBER 5, 2025ByREUTERS
People cheer as they watch the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest finals being screened at a community center in Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 17, 2025.