It’s a tense time at the moment in the world of Eurovision, with many discussions going on around Israel and broadcaster KAN’s participation in the contest. Whilst several broadcasters have come forward and stated they will boycott the 70th edition of Eurovision in May 2026 if Israel are included, one broadcaster which hasn’t is The UK’s BBC.
The BBC have remained impartial — one of its core values as the state broadcaster. But according to recent polling by Find Out Now, that stance does not reflect public opinion. It found that the British public overwhelmingly do not want Israel to participate in Vienna.
The pollsters asked a sample of 1093 casual viewers and Eurovision fans questions about Israel’s participation, and compared to it to Russia’s expulsion in 2022. You can read the full details in the press release below.
Press Release: Poll shows Brits overwhelmingly back pulling out if Israel competes in 2026
“A bombshell poll has revealed that an overwhelming majority of the British public think the UK should pull out of the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to take part next year.
“It comes as countries including Spain and Ireland have said they will not participate if Israel remains in the line-up.
“Last night (25/09), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that each country will be invited to vote on whether Israel will participate in 2026 at an emergency meeting in early November.
“Last week, BBC director general Tim Davie said the broadcaster is “aware of the concerns” but that the contest has “never been about politics”.
“The survey asked people whether it was right to ban Russia from Eurovision after its full-scale, unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine.
“A remarkable 94% of Brits agreed that Russia’s exclusion was the right decision, with that figure rising even further to 96% of Eurovision fans.
“Nearly three-quarters went on to say that banning Russia but not Israel is inconsistent, with that increasing to 80% of Eurovision fans.
“When asked specifically about Israel, a majority of Britons (82%) and Eurovision fans (87%) said they should not be allowed to compete in Vienna in 2026.
“And crucially, if Israel is permitted to take part, 69% of all respondents believe the UK should withdraw from the contest.
“Support for withdrawal cuts across voters of every political party except Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, with majorities across every region, age group and gender.
“The shock poll follows a United Nations (UN) report concluding that Benjamin Netanyahu’s escalating military actions in Gaza amount to genocide.
“The findings will undoubtedly pile pressure onto the BBC who are already in crisis talks after Spain became the first of the “Big 5” to withdraw, joining Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland.
“Belgium, Norway and Finland are considering their positions, while three of seven board members of Italy’s broadcaster RAI called for Italy to go on Wednesday (24/09) warning that the “participation of countries involved in serious human rights violations risks profoundly compromising [the contest’s] meaning and credibility.” The “Big 5” are the five countries who contribute most financially to the show and include the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany and Italy. All five qualify automatically to the Grand Final.
“A petition urging the BBC to boycott the contest if Israel participates is rapidly gathering support.
“The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has the final call on all decisions related to the Eurovision Song Contest including which countries can take part, what songs can be performed, and whether something is deemed too political.”
The poll was commissioned by Pablo O’Hana, a senior political advisor and campaign strategist who served prominent political figures, including the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, the campaign to Remain and Kamala Harris’s historic bid for the White House.
So what is next for Israel?
Yesterday it was revealed that there will be a vote in November, for all EBU members to decide on Israel’s fate in Eurovision 2026 specifically. So far broadcasters in Slovenia, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland and Big 5 member Spain have stated their perogative to boycott the contest in May if Israel are included.
Whilst several other broadcasters have stated that they will remain apolitical, such as Sweden’s SVT, it will be extremely difficult for the EBU to pull off a full contest with 2 semi-finals if this amount of countries were to drop out.
It is important to remember that Eurovision is a competition between broadcasters, not countries. Therefore, if you need a reminder of all 68 broadcasters who will be voting in November, you can find the full list here.
Waiting for EasyJ*t’s termination from Eurovision as the Official Airline.
Can’t wait for the BBC to do nothing in relation to that poll.
Anyone else think Israel might walk out before the vote…? To save the embarrassment. They can go to Intervision!
They don’t have that much dignity and grace to just walk.
they will stay until they’re dragged kicking and screaming out of this contest.
as seen from other actions, they are unable to read the room
“The poll was commissioned by Pablo O’Hana, a senior political advisor and campaign strategist who served prominent political figures, including the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, the campaign to Remain and Kamala Harris’s historic bid for the White House.”
The UK deputy PM had to resign over a tax issue, Leave won the Brexit vote, and Kamala Harris failed in her election bid. Would you want Pablo on your side?
Personally, I don’t think the UK will put themselves on the withdrawal list, but it does look like incentive to vote that country out in november. The impression I get from the BBC is that they would consider a public statement a bridge too far, but the vote is another matter.
Not expecting them to vote against Israel to be honest.
Senior Middle East advisor to them is ex-Mossad.
But the senior middle east advisor isn’t who votes, and the PR if the UK public does not want to comete with Israel in the competition would be awful. That’s why I think they may push for public facing neutrality, but might vote differently if the votes are secret. Or maybe abstain from voting if it will be published.
But however, Easyjet supports propaganda for Eurovision and Austrian Airlines would have been better official airline for Eurovision instead of this E@syJ3t sh*t.
Turkey is illegally occupying half of Cyprus since 1974, depriving the Greeks of Cyprus from their homes for 51 years, and whenever Cyprus tried to raise the issue, all the people like you were saying the contest is non political. But when it comes to agendas for Ukraine and Gaza, you are all hysterical for ‘justice’. Why dont you ask EBU to expel Turkey from being a member , which it every year invites to participate, and all you would welcome with open arms.
Curiously, in Eurovision circles, condemning Israel is treated as progressive, yet nostalgia for Turkey glosses over its ongoing occupation of EU territory. Selective outrage has never been so fashionable – though of course, the British do have a long tradition of taking an interest in matters on just about every continent. Including the not-so-fashionable Cyprus.
If you compare the invasion of Cyprus with the invasion of Ukraine or Gaza, you don’t understand anything, my friend.
Unfortunately the positions of some broadcasters don’t reflect the opinion of the populations they represent…look at Sweden 53% are for the exclusion, 35% are against, look at France 70% consider Israel is committing a genocide, 65% are for the exclusion and 35% are against…
These broadcasters should listen a bit more the populations they represent imo, if not they risk to lose interesting or famous artists who wanted to do Eurovision but who don’t want to be associated with these broadcasters that go against the will of the people they are supposed to represent…
Popular opinions is the same as people who are the loudest like pro palestinians or people on the far right
If, and I doubt very much it were to happen, the BBC chose to withdraw, alongside Spain, and France (potentially, given their support for Palestine), the contest would be up s**t creek. There’s a reason the Big 5 exists and, with these gone, the other countries would have to pay more to enter. This will result in a mass-exodus, as some already struggle to enter even with the support of the Big 5.
The EBU best hope that the members vote against Israel.
I thought I read that some members of RAI (Italy) want Israel suspended, lest they decide to withdraw as well. That would make four of the Big Five, and a terminally monumental fiasco for the EBU if they choose to continue with what would ultimately be a farce.
I hope the public should be concerned about the sponsorship with EasyJet.
You’ll find the vast majority in most countries, except Israel, would be in agreement with their removal.
it’s governments and civil servants and those involved in state broadcasting that’s completely out of touch and afraid to make Israel mad
but the public know. That’s why we have the boycotts now. People power. I know here in Ireland, RTE would probably still be going to Vienna regardless only the outcry here is massive.
if anything, this gxn 0xc1 de has only shown how completely detached the governments of these countries are from the people they supposedly represent