During a recent General Assembly held in London, the EBU released an official statement on the discussions that took place regarding the Eurovision Song Contest and Israel’s broadcaster KAN.
EBU statement
The following is an official statement published by the EBU.
“At today’s EBU General Assembly, Members held an open and constructive discussion on the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) and the increasingly complex global context in which it takes place.
The Assembly was a chance to celebrate the success of ESC 2025 – not just in terms of its record-breaking reach and engagement but in terms of its cultural resonance and ability to foster inclusivity, creativity, and a sense of belonging on a world stage.
But of course, despite its extraordinary success, the Eurovision Song Contest, like many other events, is not immune to the pressures of global politics. Questions around participation have become increasingly sensitive and multifaceted, and our Members hold a wide range of perspectives on these issues which they were able to express in detail today.
Members had a constructive exchange of views. There was a shared understanding that this is an unprecedentedly complex situation and there is a wide diversity of opinions.
Members also expressed their support for the work of the Israeli public broadcaster Kan and its independence, noting the pressure it is repeatedly experiencing from the Israeli government.
To help us navigate the current landscape, a former senior TV executive has now been invited to lead a structured and in-depth dialogue with our Member broadcasters in the coming weeks.
They will engage with Directors General and other stakeholders to gather insights on how we manage participation, geopolitical tensions, and how other organizations have approached similar challenges. They will report back with recommendations this autumn.
The EBU remains committed to transparency and will continue to keep Members informed of developments in the months ahead.”
EBU
The meeting follows calls from a number of broadcasters to review the voting procedures of the contest. Many, including AVROTROS/NPO, NRK, RTVE, RTVSLO, RTÉ , RÚV, SMRTV, VRT and Yle have raised formal complaints with the EBU following the televote victory and second place for Israel.
The EBU issued its statement in response to claims within Israeli media that Israel’s participation was being discussed at the assembly.
Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra.bsky.social on Bluesky, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see interviews and reactions to the latest Eurovision news.
