Skip to main content
Get our mobile app
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Boycott Pressure Continues

Norway Asks to Reconsider Israel at Eurovision

Norwegian public broadcaster NRK sent formal letter to European Broadcasting Union requesting fresh debate on Israel's place in 2027 contest

Noa at the Flag March

Norway's public broadcaster NRK has sent a formal letter to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) raising concerns about Israel's participation in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. The letter calls for reopening discussion on the matter, though from the EBU's perspective, Israel's participation is a done deal.

The Norwegian approach comes amid a wave of political pressure that has roiled the Eurovision world over the past year. Ireland's political parties backed broadcaster RTÉ's decision to boycott the contest and called for extending that stance to other international events featuring Israel.

Norway itself has already confirmed its own participation in the 2027 contest, set to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria. When a country confirms participation in the contest, it does so knowing full well that Israel will be competing, making the Norwegian letter appear to be a political maneuver aimed at pressuring the EBU to reverse course.

EBU: No Discussion, No Question

From the European Broadcasting Union's standpoint, Israel is competing and there is no discussion or question about it. Countries that have confirmed participation, including Norway, are fully aware that Israel will be part of the event.

The Norwegian letter joins a series of attempts to influence Eurovision decisions. In recent months, various instances of political pressure on the contest have been recorded, with Irish broadcaster RTÉ announcing it would neither participate nor broadcast the 2027 contest, explicitly linking the decision to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The EBU is currently awaiting formal decisions from additional countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland and Belgium, which have not yet announced their participation. Nevertheless, the decision regarding Israel remains unchanged.

Noa Ben in conversation with the President
Noa Ben in conversation with the President (From the Kan 11 video)

Background: A Year of Eurovision Tensions

The past year has been filled with challenges for Israel in the Eurovision arena. Alongside the political pressure, the contest itself saw dramatic moments, with Israel narrowly edged out by Bulgaria for first place this past May.

Yet not everything has been bleak. Recent months have also brought encouraging signs, with North Macedonia confirming its return to the contest after a four-year absence, announcing it would participate in the competition to be held in neighboring Bulgaria.

Now, with the Norwegian approach, it appears the political debate surrounding Eurovision continues to roil the contest world. But at least for now, the EBU's position is clear: Israel is participating, and there is no intention of changing that decision.
Mark us as a preferred source Follow us on
Ready for more?

Join our newsletter to receive updates on new articles and exclusive content.

We respect your privacy and will never share your information.

Enjoyed this article?

Yes
No
Follow Us:

Unmissable content

Loading comments...

Also of Interest