Austrian chancellor rejects talk of Israel Eurovision ban
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker says banning Israel from Eurovision 2026 would be a mistake, citing Austria’s historical responsibility.
Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker has firmly rejected any suggestion of banning Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest as his country prepares to host the next edition of the competition in 2026.
“I would consider it a fatal mistake to exclude Israel,” Stocker was quoted as saying in an interview with German news agency dpa published on Sunday, Austria’s National Day.
“Based on our history alone, I would never be in favor of that,” he added, in reference to Austria’s shared responsibility for crimes committed during the Holocaust in World War Two.
Eurovision, which stresses its political neutrality, has faced controversy linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel.
Public broadcasters of some European countries have pleged to withdraw if Israel takes part
The public broadcasters of some European countries, including Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands, have pledged to withdraw if Israel takes part in the contest to be held in Vienna next May.
YUVAL RAPHAEL PERFORMS ‘New Day Will Rise’, during the final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, in May 2025. (credit: DENIS BALIBOUSE/REUTERS)
Eurovision Song Contest organizers this month scrapped a planned November meeting to vote on Israel’s participation, and are now due to look at it in December.
