The European Broadcasting Union has postponed the November vote by all EBU members — originally scheduled for early November — which was to decide on Israel’s participation or exclusion from Eurovision 2026. As Austrian broadcaster ORF explains, the decision will now be made by the General Assembly in December, as originally planned before the EBU convened the special vote.
The news comes as jubilant scenes from the Middle East have been broadcast around the world. Hamas has freed the 20 remaining Israeli hostages who are still alive and Israel has released around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Although the next steps surrounding the future of Gaza still need to be discussed, U.S. President Donald Trump has declared an “end” to the war.
These events have seemingly convinced the EBU that it needed to take a different approach to deciding Israel’s participation.
“In light of recent developments in the Middle East, the Executive Board agrees that there is a clear need for an open and personal discussion among members on the question of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026,” the EBU said in a statement. “Therefore, the issue has been placed on the agenda of the regular winter General Assembly, scheduled for December, rather than at an extraordinary meeting beforehand.”
“ORF welcomes the decision,” the broadcaster said in an initial statement.
Late last week, the Dutch broadcaster AvroTros made it clear that the cease-fire will not change its position. It will withdraw The Netherlands from the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates. In a strongly worded statement to AD.nl, the broadcaster said:
“Our decision about participation in 2026 was made carefully and deliberately, based on the events of this year, proven facts and verified reports.”
“We will not forget the serious human suffering in Gaza, nor the erosion of press freedom and the many casualties among journalists. The Israeli government’s interference in the last edition also weighs heavily in our assessment.”
Spain and Ireland previously announced that they too would withdraw from the competition in light of the situation in the Middle East if Israel were allowed to participate in Vienna. It’s unclear if recent developments will change their position.
Well, this is a song contest of broadcasting authorities, not a contest of heads of government…
This whole thing about eliminating Israel from the contest is simply crazy.
Israel will participate again this year, will win one of the first five places, and we will continue this saga again next year.
By the way, throughout the 2000s when Turkey received a large number of points from the audience because of the diaspora, was that normal? They were banned as well? Somehow, everything related to Israel is very disturbing to all Europeans… Double standards, anyone?!
Russia is coming back in the form of Kazakhstan!
They speak a Turkic language. I would be happy if they finally joined for that reason. They’ve competed in junior ESC for several years by now
This whole situation created engagement already in August. Postponing any decision for December is a bit strange. There was already a plan and an earlier meeting.
Time will tell the results of this. But full scale ESC with 40 something participants is dead already. If there will be a ESC 2026 it will be very slimmed down.
The last time you had 40 countries was back in 2022 so the dwindling number of countries was already driven by financial and cultural-political aspects in various countries before the Israel issue erupted.
One more month with the drama queens before they finally withdraw as they promised. Oh well, I hoped we will be able to get back to normal Eurovision in November but I guess we’ll have to wait a bit more.
I just hope that all three will stick to the promise.
Huh? Drama queens? Who are you talking about?
Aren’t Ireland, Iceland and Belgium’s broadcasters supposed to rise to the same standard they already set for themselves by various public statements or will they Weasel their way out?
Wow, 9 days in and there is still so much commenting
Also some very suspicious upvoting and downvoting…
For real, thought the bots were only on Insta but seems like they’ve now also reached Wiwiblogs, never seen so many likes or dislikes on comments on other posts frr. If this is the way a country has to win or gain attention for themselves, the contest is dead to me. They’re just hijacking it. To the ones doing this, please just check in with reality, why is it you have to gain so much attention to yourself? Not even Russia or Ukraine went this low.
UGH A BUNCH OF WAKNERS!
Israel officially broke the ceasefire. Like it was expected the Trump deal was a huge hoax. Nothing has changed. Ban Israel from international institutions and contests! Let the broadcasters vote on the Israeli participation
Bull, still amazing even after all the lies posted here also by you, how you project your own huge hoax comment. H@ms literally approached the yellow line and attacked, and killed, 2 Israeli soldiers. H@MS BROKE THE CEASFIRE as it did most times, for which Israel kept self defence and retaliation to keep it away from the ceasfire’s agreed Yellow line. Stop abusing this site to keep spreading missinfo, just for the sake of your hatred and to try branwashing others to think that it’s best to get rid of broadcasters in a music contest.
People are just asking for consistency. If Eurovision had kept everyone in including Russia, Belarus then at least that is a stance. But that isn’t what they have done – it’s been one rule for one and one for another. It’s an inability to abide by the rules of the competition. We want Eurovision to be the competition it is, but the politics currently prevents it and the EBU are terrified, muting crowds and ruining the atmosphere. There is no easy decision, but there is one that would increase the competition back to a position which isn’t Israel vs Jury… Read more »
The only way this can now be balanced is if the ultimate based move occurs.
Iceland send Hatari AND Bashar Murad.
Plus Kneecap for Ireland
I dont care if Israel participates (as a Matter of fact these last two years their songs were really good). What I dont like is witnessing other participants acting as total psychos (hello Irish Bambi whatever) or audience and international press behaving like murderous mobs.
Why is so difficult to totally ignore Israel instead of Carry out these absurd displays of feigned hatred which are nothing more than a stupid trend fueled by a simplistic and childish narrative that define some as ‘the good guys’ and others as ‘the Bad ones’?
However, from a sociological point of view It is a very interesting thing: why are people so supposedly moved by the Palestinian conflict? Obviously It is not for the reasons they claim (nowadays people dont give half a dam for something happening 10 kms away from their noses), so why the reaction here? IMO It is something similar to mass hysteria, people are not really feeling or reacting as individuals but replicating what they see other people doing. It is a kind of a new concept unique to the internet/social media era: feeling by imitation.
I sure do hope you have a PhD in psychology that allows you to assert what others are feeling and give a reason for their behaviour…
Sociology… I wrote sociology…
Such moronic statements
Where have you even been hurt the last 2 years? Even your references are out of date. Bambi was almost 2 years ago, get over it and stop having them live rent free in your head. Jeez.
You speak such drivel, while ignoring the actual genocide. You seem so surprised that people don’t like genocide
Why the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with over 200 thousand victims is not considered “Genocide” and this conflict is? Words mean what they mean and not what you or anyone else want them to mean..
Specially left wing politicians Who are masters in changing the meaning of words or making Up new and absurd ones.
Hiroshima was an appalling event and should never happen. The US should also apologize and offer compensation. however, it differs from genocide because the intent wasn’t there. They didn’t nuke every city when they very easily could have, they weren’t calling the civilians “sub human animals”, not publicly anyway. It was a one off devastating event and didn’t continue for decades. Survivors of Hiroshima were allowed to stay in Hiroshima. quit the left wing, right wing nonsense it’s so American. We don’t have that in Europe. Most European people are centrist but I don’t expect you to know that considering… Read more »
You are misleading about the West Bank. If you are going to be factual and accurate, at least don’t make a false statement at the end. I am not going to take the bait and engage in a fact vs. fiction tit for tat comment strand, but I’ll only say there are serious human rights violations and killings of innocent Palestinians (about 1,100 in the past 2 years according to reports), daily hardships for Palestinians and various forms of Apartheid rules implemented. That is not genocide, but it is occupation and is reprehensible in itself.
Only 1,100 innocent victims? You think the tens of thousands of other dead souls were all Hamas? The 2 million people who have had their whole world shelled to shreds are not victims of human rights violations?
P.S. Darren does not engage in “bait” tactics. He obviously feels passionate and angry about the atrocities, its not just some online game to him.
Don’t put words in my mouth and tell me what to think or not. It sounds like you and Darren2 are one and the same. I call a spade a spade. You can shout genocide through the roof. There hasn’t been one in the West Bank. Period. We are here to discuss Israel’s participation or the lack of it. Hijacking this board for a virtue signaling crusade is what’s really moronic.
Are you really so numb that you can’t comprehend that people may be genuinely appalled? Sad.
Pearl-Clutching drama queen. If I am numb, you’re plumb crazy.
You’ve lost all semblance of coherence, Jimini, but sure.
P.S. I can’t see where or how I put words in your mouth or told you what to think. I also fail to understand why you are narrowing the scope to the West Bank only.
And what about the 1219 Jewish people killed on October 7th?(killed and more, the images of what Hamas did that day might be the most horrible and inhuman thing I have ever seen)
Extreme evil on both sides. Where have I suggested otherwise? I value all human life equally. Genocide deniers don’t.
And when they buy their votes?
Last year I believed they really did that: I suppose you mean Israel buying their votes but now I am not so sure Last year everyone seemed to be against Israel everywhere but then all of a sudden more and more people Who had remained Silent, started to speak Up and publicly Support Israel. So It is very possible that the votes to Israel were real: people really supporting Israel +people who did not specifically supported Israel but were really fed Up with the “flag people” -like myself, I never ever voted at Esc for any country (not Even for… Read more »
An actual genocide happens and you say no big deal… then you call Bambie a psycho and the press murderous mobs…?
Da fuq is wrong wit u
You see? You are clear example. Someone said ‘genocide’ and now you all are saying It because It sounds more dramatic. Most people dont Even know what a Genocide is but they keep repeating It.
I never said “no Big deal” about the conflict, I said I dont care about Israel participating in Eurovisión. Bambie was kind of a Psycho or on drugs, her tantrums were childish and ridiculous. Most press behaviour, specially the Spanish, have been stupid and un profesional.
Nothing is wrong with me, I am not a hypocrite as you (specially you) are.
“Genocide is the purpose destruction in part or in whole through death, forced displacement or the destruction of conditions necessary for life of the said group”. – Definition of genocide because you clearly don’t know.
considering we have had forced starvation, rhetoric from Israeli ministers destruction of hospitals, places of worship, schools and the mass deaths of 66,000 civilians by Israel ALL on one people – then yes, it is a genocide and in the West Bank too.
you’re posting garbage without offering anything. Like why even bother?
Almost 20% of the population in Israel are Palestines… How IS It possible to try to destroy a group and at the same time having them living in your country? Hospital, schools etc were destroyed because Hamas terrorists used those places and Israel intention was to fight Hamas. That can be as wrong as you want to be but It is not Genocide to fight a terrorist group. Again Hiroshima & Nagasaki 200 thousand victims and has never been considered Genocide.
In Palestine live almost 6 million people, killing 70 thousand as Bad as It might be IS not Genocide.
Pol Pot Genocide – about 2 million deaths
Ruanda Genocide – about 1 million
Nazi Genocide – 6 million (despite now Israel haters claim It was not so)
Palestine “Genocide” – 70 thousand
Something does not add Up
70,000 in two years.
Hundreds of thousand more in 70 years
Also genocide doesn’t just mean death, as per accepted definition. But you sure ash knew that didn’t you 😉
Then look up Srebrenica, you International Law expert. “Only” 8,000 was “enough” to be LEGALLY recognized as genocide.
So, let’s – to quote you – add things up.
Srebrenica: 8,000
Gaza: 70,000
I rest my case!
You forgot to mention that the population in Srebrenica were around 15 thousand people which means that more than half the population were massacred and the “reason” why they were killed was an ethnic cleansing of Bosniak Muslims.
The very fact that you showcase all those genocide criterias, only serve to remind everyone how Gaza’s H. leadership fullfils all of those against Israel and more remarkably against it’s own civilians. Tearing up their own civilians and using them as human shields – you say attacking mosques, schools…? Indeed because that’s precisely where H hide and shoot from, while using their civilians as shields. That keeps speaking volumes about your hypocrisy and clownish reality twists. You also conveniently drop the focal delibarate “Intention” criteria to destroy civilians when you know that Israel targets those H militants who precisely hid… Read more »
Never said H ms was innocent dear Sun, the article is about Israel, do keep up and stop being a melt. Thanks hun x
Hamas are evil. Pure scum. Nobody here disputes that. Israeli citizens should be protected from them, and also the innocent people of Palestine. That still does not justify the actions of Netanyahu, an evil man himself.
I love Israel, I love its culture, I love its people. I am a FRIEND to Israel.
As a friend, I am telling Israel that it is wrong, acting appallingly, and in fact harming itself. I do not blame the average citizen of Israel,
I place most of the blame on one man – Benjamin Netanyahu, a corrupt and evil terrorist. The only thing he cares about is self-preservation and power. He has no conscience and never gave a sh!t about the hostages.
I don’t need to “save face”, Sun, because the people I respect already agree with me.
So what would be the “acceptable” response to the October 7th killings? If It had been your country and the people killed had been your fellow countrymen what response from your country would you have regarded as acceptable? A Pat on the shoulder and “please dont do It again”??
“Most people dont Even know what a Genocide is but they keep repeating It.”
Do you count the UN and ICC (International Crime Court) also to your alleged group of “most people”?!
If they say this is Genocide then yes, also them… If they define Genocide as killing a specific human group then the attack on Octuber 7th IS also genocide because Hamas attacked those people just because they were Jewish or Israeli.
Warning of their attacks to Palestine is not consistent with the “purpose destruction of a human group”. Finally as blunt as It sounds, if the sole purpose of Israel was to eliminate a human group, instead of 70 thousand we Will have 700 thousand.
They can’t ignore Israel; they almost dragged the contest to Israel this year. Were you paying attention?
The EBU is an example of bad governance. It all started with the war in Ukraïne. From that moment on only bad choices were made and too late. Joost Klein, the war in Israel; the EBU board is no good and now the magic is gone. Eurovision is a clear reflection of the divisions within Europe. The Titanic is sinking and Eurovision is the orchestra that continues playing.
You forgot they banned the Pride flag on stage and the Green Room. That alone was pretty much enough to know what they are up to. They said it was to ensure “political neutrality” as if banning the Pride Flag is not a political stance. I can’t believe people let that one slip.
Is Pride a country? Only country flags are allowed..
I have a flag. Its not the Pride flag. It dont represent me.
Why does it not represent you, Denis?
The Pride flag represents everyone who is an ally and believes in equal rights. The only people it does not represent are homophobic fools.
Banning Eden Golan would have been a better move
Eden Golan was one of the moves to be banned by the EBU in the show.
I think we all knew the EBU would find a way to do the wrong thing. We just didn’t know what it would look like exactly.
Maybe EBU can explain where the ‘gray area’ is in genocide? Where ‘a little bit under the right circumstances isn’t so bad. . . ‘
Wait – EBU explain anything, like that’s going to happen. . .
Because there’s a ceasefire (which they’ve openly violated in the past), we’re supposed to forget everything that happened in the past 2 years, pretend like it’s normal, move on and all sing kumbaya? I think not.
The point of Eurovision starting is to move on after a war that killed millions.
Eurovision is exactly moving on and singing.
If ceasefire isn’t enough, then I guess we’re banning broadcasters in countries who have ever been at war.
So we are just supposed to forget everything that happened these last two years? A ceasefire is all that is needed to forgive genocide?
For ESC sake I really hope countries boycott it. Spend those money on something wiser than this genocide forgiving ” party..
ESC died a long time ago!
The point of Eurovision starting is to move on after a war that killed millions.
Eurovision is exactly moving on and singing.
If ceasefire isn’t enough, then I guess we’re banning broadcasters in countries who have ever been at war.
Funny how it was all “we want Israel out while they’re committing these acts”.
Now there’s the ceasefire it’s “but but we still don’t want them in it”
We. Are. Not. Surprised. At. All…
The rule should be simple: a country on trial for genocide shall not be allowed to compete.
I love how all u losers think Israel has enough power and cares enough to rig the votes. I guess you’re all kids or just stupid.
Whatever.
It has been proven that they do.
It’s indeed very difficult, if not impossible, to prove that Israel is able to rig the vote or not. However, it doesn’t change the fact that the presence of Israel in the contest significantly affects the integrity of the televote… that’s what bothers me the most. Same goes for Ukraine but looking at the past two years it seems that Ukraine has a little bit less power than Israel. You can’t possibly think that it is normal that a country is topping the televote but is crashing in the global charts, twice in a row. It is something that we… Read more »
I don’t remember that for Azerbaijan at all. Maybe I was too young. I loved the recorded version but thought they didn’t perform live on the same level. It was my clear winner as I remember though. Maybe I was the right target audience. 16 years old at the time. Possibly non in my family liked the entry though
Let me be clear, I was 14 at the time and I liked the song too. The singers were not great live, especially Nikki, but the overall package was not bad at all. I think it didn’t deserve the trophy but that’s my personnal opinion. However, the Azerbaijani broadcaster was suspected of fraud in the early 2010s, particularly in 2013. 2011 has also been the subject of speculation, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised, given that the song was never really popular internationally. Anyway, 2011 was a strange year full of songs loved by the fanbase but poorly performed (Estonia,… Read more »
Yes, there’s nothing more mature than ending a statement with whatever. Whatever.
It has been proven the government involved rigged the televoting the past 2 years and they admitted.it. Are you still asleep?
Just the fact that the government put money into getting votes, says it all. Even if it had not succeeded it would be wrong, and should disqualify them for trying to use the contest for their political agenda.
The report from the EBU itself says otherwise.
The fact remains that this contest will forver be tainted by the Israeli government pumping huge amounts of cash to buy as many votes as possible therefore rigging the contest.
Something I worry about too is: imagine the playbook they’ve created and that could be replicated. This time it was Israel, but next time a country wants to whitewash their regime they now have the perfect process to follow and they know the EBU will do absolutely nothing about it. On the contrary: they’ll enable it.
It has to be dealt with now, close up the loop holes, put stronger restrictions on who can provide advertising. Reform the Televote system. Somebody else could unfairly benefit down the line if nothing’s done now.
Hello… already happened in 2011… Azerbaijan…
That may be Falafalee, but I also think that many of those “many votes” came for free from people who have been sympathetic to Israel because of the events of 7 Oct 23.
Does the EBU think we have short-term memory or something…? We’re still seeing the atrocities in Gaza with our own eyes.
Simple solution: allow Israel to participate with the same security arrangements of every either delegation. That means no Israeli secret service protection officers in the venue, green room, or press room. When Israel won in Lisbon the back of house became little Ben Gurion: aggressive interrogation of press and fans, additional sweeps and pat downs, and even other artists were aggresively kept from congratulation Netta.
This peace will not last till may. If EBU wamts to make it hard on themselves by that time be my guest.
As long as Israel is competing, it going to be injustice contest The past 2 years the Israeli government rigged the televote and you may not know what they going to do next . They are very good at playing the victim. If they have nothing to hide why aren’t they allowed international journalists in the premises during the war., which I think is weird.
Were they ‘playing the victim’ on October 23, 2023? Or September 5, 1972?
Who knows!!!!!
I am calling it now: the NF season will be the highlight of Eurovision 2026.
I feel it coming. More trouble in 2026. Clearly, EBU and Austria are going to work tirelessly to keep Israel in. Is anyone working tirelessly for a level playing field in the televote?
Sooo. Tel Aviv 2027 or Jerusalem?
Eurovision 2026 will go ahead as scheduled.
Perhaps Netherlands will withdraw but Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and North Macedonia have all expressed an interest in returning. Kazakhstan has also said their request for an invite will be discussed at the December meeting.
Bulgaria are pro-israel confirmed then, YUK
Toxic fandom implodes
What an absolute disgrace. What will postponing it actually do? Crimes were still committed and the Israeli government and KAN played their part in it. Also the voting debacle that they openly admit was rigged. A ceasefire means nothing only that more kids aren’t being un alived. But the thousands of kids that were deserve justice. nothing has changed. The EBU should hang their heads in shame and Eurovision, is gone. I’d respect them more if they openly came out and said “look, we don’t want remove them” instead of this horsing around and delaying and postponing. i hope Ireland… Read more »
It was all two years late anyway.
“Also the voting debacle that they openly admit was rigged”
Source?
Source:
Israeli Foreign Ministry
and basically every other broadcaster.
thanks x
So if that was true, you can provide a link in which the Israeli Foreign Ministry admits that…
Maybe it’s time to admit some people don’t care about the causes you highly believe in, and like the years before, Israel is rated highly when sent strong participants.
Or maybe it’s time to admit the country you simp for has been breaking the rules?
https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/05/20/israeli-government-agency-sponsored-eurovision-2025-voting/284950/#:~:text=Israel%20also%20performed%20a%20campaign,support%20in%20their%20respective%20countries.
Israel wasn’t “highly rated” before the contest dream on. Yuval didn’t even chart. The simping has really got to you innit
There are posters here who seem to think that once the ceasefire was put in place everything just returns to normal. There are over 2 million people in the Gaza strip without a roof over their head, without water, electricity or many basic necessities. People who’ve had their live torn apart, lost most of their family and now it’s OK????
I do hope that RTÉ stick to their guns on this. I’ve not heard a squeak from them about the submission of songs, whereas some countries are ploughing on with their selection processes regardless.
Ceasefire isn’t going to stop Israel from rigging the vote.
And West Bank & Gaza and most middle eastern countries wouldn’t know a democratic vote if it hit them!
I find postponing useless. We are talking about the country that has been involved in a war that brought countless victims, many of whom are kids, and whose army killed lots of journalists, and whose actions are judged by many UN scholars as genocide, and whose government was massively involved in organizing voting across Europe. What is point of having a peace in December, when it could easily escalate in the spring or later on? Suspension of Israel is the only path and if that doesn’t happen I think broadcasters better just save money and withdraw from Eurovision 2026. I… Read more »
Agree. We should know ASAP in order to book hotels, flights.. or not.
I think its time to start planning the new ESC out of the UER. There are many fresh ideas, like inviting people from Latin America or North Africa… It will be enriching and I think >90% of the eurofans will attend. Eurovi$ion is officially RIP.
It’s over Elisa, stop with your hate narrative. Music has won, politics are gone.
Great News !! Vibes of peace in the air!! Time to focus on music (not politics). Getting excited for 2026 edition in Austria
Vibes of sweeping it under the carpet and hoping the heat dissipates more like.
EBU is weak af.
This is not a political context
Yes it is. Made so by Israel unfortunately.
And if they stay it will be more political than ever before. The EBU also made it political when they rightfully removed Russia.
Jerusalem 2027 here we go
Amazing news! We brought them home. We can live, love, song and dance. But we will never forget
I hope you never forget.
i hope the shame of your countries actions follows you for generations, ensure that you never forget.
What about Turkey? You don’t seem to care what it did to Cyprus. But double standards hypocrisy. When Cyprus tried to raise the issue in 1990s it was told not to bring politics into ESC and that Turkey was welcome with noone reacting and you would welcome Turkey anytime with open arms
These people don’t care about what else is going on. They’ll aggressively get behind whatever is the current trendy thing to hate. Funny how people forgot about Russia/Ukraine situation so quickly when they started obsessing about Israel.
They don’t even know much about history or context of what they’re currently lobbying against, they just parrot what they’re told and have heavy confirmation bias.
Yeah, I’ll see you guys in December. I don’t feel like staying here for the storm
Unfortunately saw it coming. We shouldn’t stop here. Israel should BY NO MEANS be welcome at Eurovision. First and foremost because of the apartheid regime imposed on Palestinians and it being an obstacle to a Palestinian State and secondly because they are certain to once again corrupt the voting at the contest.
We need tangible acts from the broadcasters now! As many as you can withdraw from the contest if Israel participates!
Enough of your hate and politics! Keep politics and hate out of ESC.
No can do. Politics are everywhere because humans are social beings. Even ignoring the obvious disgrace of Israel’s participation is politics in itself and the worst kind imaginable.
Let alone the fact that Israel’s participation is a political decision by the EBU itself and Israel uses the contest as a propaganda platform, so we are not the ones that politicised the contest first.
So I take it you haven’t watched Eurovision for the last few years since watching would be supporting the EBU’s decision to support Israel.
Lets bring back Russia and Belarus too
And the Pride Flag.
Israel literally sent two political songs in a row and their government spent so much on those voting campaigns. You’re telling the wrong people to keep politics out of the ESC.
People will find the most tenuous clutch at straws link to call the song political. And if they sent something like Unicorn it would be “how dare they sing such an upbeat song with what’s happening”
Eden Golan has never performed the song under the title “Hurricane” outside of Eurovision. It’s always been “October Rain” and it’s always at political events. You can’t gaslight people who have woken up.
Great news! And to be expected. It’s time to move on and turn a new leaf. Enough of the hate. Enough of the politics. This is a song competition after all, with the entire purpose to put aside hate and politics and to unify.
“Enough of the politics.” Well yes, but tell this to Israel. They tried to mix Eurovision with politics for two years.
How is it considered political to sing about a people’s pain and emotions? It feels like you’re denying the reasons behind Israel’s war — remember, October 7. Why is it so hard to acknowledge that there are two sides to this story?
Because so many people have such a black and white thinking. One side is the goody and the other side is the baddy. No in between, no context and no nuance.
I have always found it weird how Israel are not allowed to sing about about bad things that have happened to them, but other countries such as Ukraine are allowed.
And countries like the USA are allowed to be sad about 9/11 even though they brought mass death to the middle east as a result.