German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Sunday that Germany could withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2026 if Israel is barred from participating. “If Israel is excluded, I would be in favor of Germany not participating either,” Merz said in an interview with ARD presenter Caren Miosga, as reported by Der Spiegel.
With this, the Chancellor responded to threats from several European countries—including Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia—to boycott the competition if Israel performs. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is set to vote in November on whether Israel will remain eligible to participate. According to an ARD survey, 65 percent of Germans oppose the exclusion of Israeli artists or athletes from international competitions.
I know many will now say: It’s “just” the ESC—a music festival that gets more colorful, extravagant, and political every year. And yes, that’s true. But that’s exactly what I find alarming: even in a place meant to be about music and joy, Israel suddenly becomes a problem.
I’ll admit openly that I love the...
Become a Member
-
Read all member content
Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel.
-
Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel
Connect with Israel, right from your home.
-
Lift up the voice of truth and hope
Support Jerusalem-based Zionist journalism.
Already a member? Login here.
