SBS has announced that it will not boycott next year’s Eurovision song contest, even if Israel is allowed to compete, following a growing number of European Union countries that have expressed their intentions to boycott the event. The decision on Israel’s inclusion will be made by the contest’s governing body in December, but SBS stated that it plans to participate in the 2026 event in Vienna, regardless of the decision.
The deadline for broadcasters to file their applications for participation has been extended to mid-December, allowing more time for consultation with member broadcasters about country participation in next year’s event. Several countries, including Ireland, Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands, and Iceland, have already stated their unwillingness to participate if the EBU permits Israel to compete due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Brazil’s exclusion from the competition following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 highlights the tensions surrounding geopolitical issues. The EBU has denied proposing for Israel to compete under a neutral symbol or step aside temporarily, and maintains that it is still consulting with all EBU members regarding participation and how to manage geopolitical tensions.
The Greens and the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (Apan) have called for SBS to join the boycott, criticizing Eurovision’s theme of “unity through music” in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Israel denies allegations of genocide in Gaza, and SBS has declined to confirm whether the EBU has contacted the Australian broadcaster about Israel’s participation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/sep/17/eurovision-2026-israel-sbs-australia-resists-eu-boycott
