Overview
- Member broadcasters meeting in Geneva endorsed an updated rule set in a secret vote, avoiding a separate ballot on excluding Israel.
- Reported results showed 738 in favour, 265 against and 120 abstentions on the reforms that maintained Israel’s place in the 2026 lineup.
- RTVE (Spain), Avrotros (Netherlands), RTÉ (Ireland) and RTV (Slovenia) said they will withdraw and will not broadcast the Vienna contest in protest.
- The EBU lowered the maximum televotes per voter to 10 from 20 and reintroduced juries in the semifinals to curb coordinated voting.
- Italy’s RAI, France Télévisions and the German government affirmed participation and support for Israel’s inclusion, while Iceland and Belgium signalled decisions are forthcoming.