Austrian leader rejects talk of Israel Eurovision ban

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker has flatly rejected any suggestions to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest, as his country prepares to host the next edition of the contest in 2026.

“I think excluding Israel is a fatal mistake,” Stocker said in an interview with German news agency dpa on Sunday, Austria’s National Day. He was quoted as saying.

Austria’s II. “Based on our history alone, I will never be in favor of that,” he said, referring to their shared responsibility for crimes committed during the Holocaust in World War II. he added.

Emphasizing its political neutrality, Eurovision has faced controversy linked to Israel’s military action in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.

Public broadcasters in some European countries, including Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands, have vowed to withdraw if Israel participates in the competition in Vienna next May.

Eurovision Song Contest organizers this month canceled a meeting scheduled for November to vote on Israel’s entry and will now consider it in December.