EBU tightens Eurovision host rules, citing Gaza war and security concerns

Context: the war in Gaza

The revised text was confirmed by Martin Green, director of this year's Eurovision host broadcaster in Vienna, who told reporters that the rules had been sharpened to give the EBU an explicit basis for disqualifying a winning country on security grounds, regardless of its competitive result.

According to the EBU, the new criteria are designed to give the organisation a clear and transparent mechanism to act when the security environment around a potential host deteriorates. Officials emphasised that the change does not single out any specific country and applies equally to all members.

The contest's host is normally the broadcaster from the country whose entry wins the previous edition. The EBU statement noted that this tradition could be overridden if the assessment of security conditions warrants it, leaving room for an alternative venue to be chosen.

Reaction and political pressure

Critics inside and outside the European broadcasting community had argued that allowing the contest to go ahead in Israel would risk diverting attention from the music and placing performers and delegations in an unsafe environment. Supporters of Israel hosting countered that Eurovision should remain an apolitical cultural event.

Public broadcasters in several European countries have in recent months debated whether their delegations should travel to an Israeli-hosted contest, adding political pressure on the EBU to formalise its position. Some had already announced contingency plans for participation in an alternative location.

The EBU has not publicly named an alternative host should Israel be ruled out. Organisers said operational planning for the contest would continue while the eligibility assessment is finalised, and that a decision would be communicated to all participating broadcasters in due course.

What happens next

Eurovision, one of the world's most-watched live television events, regularly draws audiences of more than 150 million viewers. The economic and cultural impact on a host city is significant, with tourism, hospitality and local broadcasters all benefiting from staging the contest.

The EBU confirmed that the eligibility review will be revisited if the security situation changes, meaning the door is not permanently closed on any specific country. The organisation said its priority remains delivering a safe, secure event for artists, delegations and audiences.