The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the annual Eurovision Song Contest, introduced on Monday the line-up for the 2026 semi-final, which might be held over two nights. It was introduced that Israel would carry out within the first semi-final later within the present.
This yr’s Eurovision contest might be held in Vienna in May. The first semi-final might be held on May twelfth, the second semi-final on May 14th and the ultimate on May sixteenth.
The Israeli contestants who haven’t but been chosen will face Georgia, Portugal, Croatia, Sweden, Finland, Moldova, Greece, Montenegro, Estonia, San Marino, Poland, Belgium, Lithuania and Serbia within the first semi-final.
The nations that can advance to the second semi-final are Armenia, Romania, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Albania, Denmark, Cyprus, Norway, Malta, Australia, Ukraine and Latvia.
Five nations to boycott 2026 Eurovision
Five Eurovision regulars – Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Iceland and Ireland – withdrew in protest at Israel’s participation. Several extra nations are reportedly contemplating withdrawing, together with Portugal and Finland.
The determination to not take part is especially important as Spain has historically been one of many so-called “huge 5” predominant sponsors of Eurovision. The remaining nations, Britain, Italy, Germany and France, are additionally within the race. These nations are assured a spot within the finals.
The boycotting nations are doing so in protest of Israel’s actions through the Israel-Hamas warfare.
In the final two Eurovision Song Contests held since warfare broke out in 2023, 2024 contestant Eden Golan of Israel and 2025 contestant Yuval Rafael have acquired loss of life threats and been booed and heckled throughout their performances.
Despite their makes an attempt to intimidate them, Golan completed second in viewers voting and fifth general, whereas Rafael completed first in viewers voting and second general.
Many nations questioned how Rafael received final yr’s common vote and requested Eurovision to research the viewers vote. Eurovision’s governing physique dominated that Israel had not damaged any guidelines, however introduced some rule adjustments at its December 2025 assembly.
Websites affiliated with a candidate’s nation might not be capable of promote the candidate on-line sooner or later. Local voters used to have the ability to vote 20 occasions, however now they’ll solely solid 10 votes. Rules that restrict televoting to 10 votes per particular person give higher energy to juries in a rustic the place, in precept, Israel’s scores are usually a lot decrease than the favored vote.
Israeli expertise contest Keshet’s Eurovision Next Star on Channel 12 will quickly resolve the winner and Israel’s Eurovision committee will select the track. Israel has been competing at Eurovision since 1973 and has received 4 occasions: 1978, 1979, 1998 and 2018.