Austria’s Chancellor, Christian Stocker, has dismissed suggestions of banning Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which Austria is set to host in Vienna.
“I would consider it a fatal mistake to exclude Israel,” Stocker said in an interview with the German news agency dpa, published on Sunday Austria’s National Day. “Based on our history alone, I would never be in favour of that,” he added, referring to Austria’s shared responsibility for crimes committed during the Holocaust in World War Two.
Eurovision, which maintains a stance of political neutrality, has faced growing controversy over Israel’s participation amid its ongoing military campaign in Gaza following the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks.
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Public broadcasters in several European countries including Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands have threatened to withdraw from next year’s competition if Israel is allowed to participate.
Organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest cancelled a planned November vote on Israel’s participation and are now expected to revisit the issue in December.
