Israel’s contentious participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has been defended by the European Broadcasting Union. 

The country’s inclusion has sparked widespread, but not unanimous, criticism. 

Click to read this story at a glance…

• Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 has been defended by the European Broadcasting Union, citing adherence to competition rules and the independence of KAN as a public service broadcaster
• Unlike the decision to exclude Russia in 2022 after a consensus among EBU members, there was no such agreement to ban Israel this year
• Despite controversy and criticism surrounding Israel’s involvement, the EBU says Eurovision remains a unifying event aiming to bring joy and hope during challenging global circumstances

Speaking exclusively to The Euro Trip, the European Broadcasting Union’s Digital and Communications Manager, Dave Goodman, said: “We’re all moved by what we see in the Middle East at the moment. 

“We understand that there are strong opinions about Israel’s participation in the competition. 

“The EBU is a member organisation of public service broadcasters – Eurovision fans know that more than anybody. 

“The difference two years ago is we had a consensus among our members that Russia should not compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. 

“This year there is not a consensus to ban Israel. 

“They fulfil all the rules of the competition, KAN is an independent public service broadcaster and can compete in the Eurovision Song Contest according to the rules. 

“That is why we have Israel in the competition in Malmö.” 

In 2022, Russia was excluded from the contest after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

The EBU said at the time it took the executive decision to ban the country after “consulting widely among its membership”. 

The decision was also made “following a recommendation” from the Eurovision Song Contest’s governing body, the Reference Group. 

Despite similarities between the situation Israel finds itself in this year and Russia in 2022, because there wasn’t a consensus on the Reference Group, Israel was given the green light to participate. 

Eden Golan is representing Israel with the song Hurricane. 

“It is a challenging time for the world,” Goodman admitted. 

“The last few years have been challenging overall, and this year poses its own unique challenges.

“But what is great about Eurovision is that it does unite people; the slogan really sums everything up. 

“When you get here, you realise that it’s what everyone is here for. They’re wanting a beacon of hope and a source of joy, and we’re going to provide that in these very challenging times.”