RTBF, the French-speaking Belgian broadcaster, who has been in charge of representing the country on even years since Covid, has sent a statement to the Belga press agency, saying that they are preparing for Eurovision 2026 but have not yet made a decision on participation. Like other broadcasters, they will wait for the development of discussions between the EBU and members, about topics like Israel’s participation.
Preparations in place but no decision on Eurovision yet
The following statement was given to the Belga press agency by Axelle Pollet, the spokesperson from RTBF:
RTBF continues its preparation for the next contest, including the work of selecting candidates. It is a long-term undertaking that has no room for improvisation. As for our choice to take or not take part in the 2026 edition, it will be taken based on the decisions the EBU will make during its General Assembly in December.
Axelle Pollet, RTBF Spokesperson, 12/09/2026
The decisions mentioned in the comment will be the result of consultations held between the EBU and its members since the July General Assembly, where issues over Israel’s participation and the voting system arose.
Because these discussions are still ongoing, the deadline to confirm participation or withdraw from the contest without financial penalties has been extended by the EBU, to December. This allows countries to take a decision on staying or leaving once the issue of Israel’s participation is settled.
A December deadline fuelling conditional withdrawals
As a result of the extended deadline, several other broadcasters have said that they will not confirm participation until then, with some even clearly stating that they will not take part if Israel does.
In Slovenia, RTV SLO has stated that they will not go if Israel takes part, with Director Ksenija Horvat believing that Slovenia “will not be able to go to the Eurovision Song Contest”, implying that she believed the Middle Eastern country would participate anyway.
Yesterday, Ireland‘s broadcaster RTÉ has stated that they will not take part either “if the participation of Israel goes ahead”, and so did AVROTROS from The Netherlands today.
In Iceland, broadcaster RÚV has been less clear. Like RTBF, it has stated that their decision regarding Eurovision participation will depend on the outcome of the discussions with the EBU. In an interview, Director General Stefán Eiríksson did not hide his serious doubts on whether changes would take place after these discussions.
As for Spain, while RTVE itself has not yet spoken of withdrawal, and has started to prepare for Benidorm Festival (which will be directed by Sergio Jaén, the acclaimed director of Ireland 2024 and Austria 2025), it will also wait until December, and the Spanish Minister for Culture has said that Spain would withdraw from the competition if Israel takes part. Considering the independence of public broadcasting, it is not certain whether RTVE would follow up on this, but they have been among the most vocal broadcasters in the aftermath of the 2025 contest, asking for an audit of their televote.
The discussions mentioned by these broadcasters surround both Israel’s participation and the voting processes, which have been criticized by these five, along with others such as VRT from Belgium, NRK from Norway, or YLE from Finland.
If Israel takes part and all six do withdraw, the contest would take place with 31 or 32 participants (depending on Moldova’s return), which would be the lowest number since the introduction of a semi-final, in 2004, when 34 countries took part.
How do you feel about RTBF’s statement? Should Belgium withdraw if Israel takes part? If you’re from neither country, would you want your country to withdraw in such a situation? Let us know!
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