President Herzog warns that bans on Israel could extend beyond Eurovision

Israeli President Isaac Herzog warned on Monday that the country is facing a campaign of “delegitimization” and potential bans that could extend beyond the current debate over whether Israel should be allowed to participate in the upcoming Eurovision Song Competition in Vienna, Austria, next May.

“I have seen dangerous processes that begin with Eurovision and end in other places. The delegitimization of Israel and the attempt to exclude us from every possible arena are moves designed to weaken us. It starts with Eurovision but reaches matters that are vital to us. Every arena is important,” Herzog said in an interview with Israeli broadcaster Kan Reshet Bet.

International calls to ban Israel from various events are linked to a growing global opposition to the ongoing war in Gaza against the Hamas terrorist organization. Hamas launched the war with the Oct. 7 attack two years ago. Since then, many around the world have supported accusations that Israel is committing “genocide” and causing “famine” in Gaza. Israel has firmly rejected these allegations, stating that they are inconsistent with its policies and documented actions on the ground.

Herzog’s warning follows an announcement by the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU) that it will vote on Israel’s future participation in the contest at the end of 2025. While the EBU did not mention Israel by name, it said the meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, will address “the geopolitical situation and country participation.”

The EBU has stated it is a non-political organization and seeks to keep international politics out of the competition.

Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia have demanded that Israel be excluded from Eurovision 2026 and have threatened to boycott the event..

Critics of Israel argue that the country should face similar treatment to Russia, which was banned from Eurovision following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, unlike Russia’s actions, the current war in Gaza began with Hamas' surprise invasion and terror attack, during which 1,200 people – mostly civilians, including women, children, and elderly Israelis – were killed. It was the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

In a joint letter issued this past May, 70 former Eurovision participants demanded a ban on Israel.

“We, the undersigned former Eurovision participants, urge all members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to demand the exclusion of KAN, the Israeli public broadcaster, from the Eurovision Song Contest. KAN is complicit in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people,” the joint letter stated.

Other countries, including Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, and Austria, have expressed opposition to efforts to ban Israel from Eurovision. Austria, which will host the event next year, recently warned that a boycott of Israel would deepen divisions and “not improve the situation in Gaza.”

“Cultural boycotts are stupid and pointless; they don't get us anywhere," Austrian Deputy Foreign Minister Sepp Schellhorn stated. “Art and culture are of essential importance.” He added, “Cultural exchange enables dialogue; it builds bridges. Especially in times like these, this is more important than ever.”

The Israeli president expressed concerns that Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi had signaled plans to close down Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, which represents Israel during the Eurovision contest.

“I have immense respect for Kan. There are voices that worry me. The platform of public broadcasting is so important; it enables a diversity of opinions, free of bias, and allows everyone to be heard. I am a great supporter of public broadcasting, and therefore. I worry when there is cause to worry and act when there is a need to act,” Herzog stated.