Austria Austria's chancellor clearly in favor of Israel's participation in the ESC
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) has clearly spoken out in favor of Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Vienna in May 2026. "I would consider it a fatal mistake to exclude Israel. Based on our history alone, I would never be in favor of that," Stocker said in an interview with the German Press Agency against the backdrop of Austria's shared responsibility for the Holocaust.
26.10.2025, 07:43
SDA
The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip had changed the situation. However, Stocker conceded that the debate surrounding Israel's participation had cast a shadow over the event, at least so far.
In December, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will hold a final discussion with its members on the issue. Some countries, such as Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland, have threatened to boycott the event in the event of an Israeli appearance, as Israel is responsible for the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population.
The Gaza war was triggered by the massacre by Islamist Hamas and other terrorists in Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 abducted.
Following the victory of Austrian countertenor JJ with his song "Wasted Love" at last year's ESC in Basel, the 70th ESC will take place in Vienna. The public broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) is organizing the biggest music event in the world. "We will be happy to present ourselves as a cosmopolitan host country," says Stocker.
