Eyeing Israel’s near-wins, Eurovision to bar conflict-hit countries from hosting contest
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of IsraelThe European Broadcasting Union on Wednesday issued new rules ahead of next year’s competition, seemingly aimed at ensuring Israel will not be able to host the 2028 contest even if it wins next year.Generally, the EBU regulations stipulate that the country that wins the contest hosts the following year — but a number of exceptions have been made. Ukraine won in 2022, but the 2023 competition was hosted in the UK due to the ongoing war in the country. Countries have also given up their right to host in the past, including Israel when it won back-to-back in 1978 and 1979.According to fresh rules posted on the Eurovision site on Wednesday, the EBU “may designate another Participating Broadcaster to host the Event” if it determines that the winner is unable to do so.“Where an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical…
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has introduced new rules for the Eurovision Song Contest, seemingly to prevent countries experiencing armed conflict or sensitive geopolitical situations from hosting, even if they win. These regulations, posted Wednesday, state that if a winner's "immediate region" is affected by such a situation, making security, safety, or stability uncertain, the EBU "may designate another Participating Broadcaster to host the Event."
- The new rules are widely interpreted as targeting Israel, given its ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and with Iran.
- Last year, several public broadcasters pushed for an indirect vote on Israel's participation, leading five countries (Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain) to withdraw in protest after a majority approved reforms seen as allowing Israel's continued involvement.
- Israel has recently placed second in the contest twice, alarming some viewers who questioned its suitability as a host.
- The EBU director has ruled out another vote on Israel's participation for the upcoming contest.
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