Also Germany says they will not compete if Israel is kicked out in the wake of a number of countries such as Spain saying that they will exit if Israel is allowed.

 

Could Austria refuse to host 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is frozen out?

 

Not sure how many people follow this issue and know the history and rules of Eurovision. If you don't, it's doubtful you can have an informed opinion as the usual knee jerk reaction is to whine that Israel isn't in Europe so shouldn't be in Eurovision regardless. 

 

Israel though not in Europe has been a very long standing Eurovision participant based on Eurovision's broadcasting eligibility rules and has presented an impressive for a tiny country four winners, most notably transgender woman Dana International with Diva. Under similar rules Australia definitely not in Europe is in Eurovision.

 

 

JJ won last year's contest. He's from Austria so the winning country generally hosts except in exceptional circumstances such as when Ukraine at war won and couldn't. JJ himself has been a loud voice to ban Israel but he's only a singer, not the Austrian organization.

 

So it seems to be coming to head.

 

Some say Eurovision is ruined if Israel is allowed, and others say Eurovision is ruined if Israel is booted.

 

For me personally, Israel's entrant is usually a big highlight of the competition, and I would be less interested in watching it if they're ejected.

 

The historical symbolism of both Austria and Germany not wanting to kick out the one Jewish majority nation is clearly a big part of this mix.

 

Another part of the issue is the question of what happens if Israel wins as far as hosting. Last year Israel came in second and it's hard to imagine that Israel could have pulled off a hosting in the middle of a war. That would have been a PR disaster for Eurovision either way if they had won then. But that war is supposedly "over" for now so the fear of another Israeli win should be somewhat lessened.

 

So, Eurovision with or without Israel? If you care about Eurovision, what do you think? If you don't care about Eurovision, your opinion isn't really relevant.

 

Awful songs always win!

7 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Awful songs always win!

That isn't true but there are always plenty of awful songs in the competition.

That's part of the fun actually.

 

 

Let countries like Spain exercise their right not to compete.

Doubt many people will miss them.

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That isn't true but there are always plenty of awful songs in the competition.

That's part of the fun actually.

 

 

It doesn't seem like a real contest. Like a parody.

A somewhat strong argument has been made that Russia was banned so Israel should be as well.

I say somewhat because Russia was the clear instigator of their war while in the case of Israel - Gaza, Hamas started it.

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

It doesn't seem like a real contest. Like a parody.

There are a lot of joke acts, but not all.

There is kind of a magic Eurovision winning song formula that many contestants try to hit.

I do sometimes think that the UK enter awful songs to avoid winning.

 

The winner gets to host the next year's contest and Ireland winning 3 years running (92, 93, 94) nearly destroyed RTE's budget.

 

Sam Ryder coming second (he should have won) in 2022 was obviously a blip in the selection process

 

I honestly think Eurobore has run its course and should quietly fade into the anals(sic) of history.

 

The only Euro group I know from the continent. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

I do sometimes think that the UK enter awful songs to avoid winning.

 

The winner gets to host the next year's contest and Ireland winning 3 years running (92, 93, 94) nearly destroyed RTE's budget.

 

Sam Ryder coming second (he should have won) in 2022 was obviously a blip in the selection process

 

I honestly think Eurobore has run its course and should quietly fade into the anals(sic) of history.

 

Agree that Ryder should have won.

Disagree that Eurovision should end.

The reason being that Eurovision has evolved into the premier LGBT international cultural event.

Just now, Jingthing said:

The reason being that Eurovision has evolved into the premier LGBT international cultural event.

All the more reason to ban it. There is no such thing LGBTQTRESDWOP++++ culture.

 

Good for Austria by the way.