The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that its members will vote in November on whether Israel will be allowed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, scheduled to take place in Vienna after Austria’s win last year.

In a letter circulated to members and first published by the Austrian newspaper Krone, the EBU acknowledged what it described as an “unprecedented diversity of opinions” regarding Israel’s involvement. The statement followed two months of consultations between EBU Vice President Petr Dvorak and member broadcasters.

The letter noted that “consensus could not be reached” on the issue of Israel’s broadcaster Kan taking part, and that the matter represented a “divisive situation never faced before.” As a result, the EBU’s executive board agreed that a broader democratic decision was necessary, giving all members a voice in the final outcome.

The vote is set to take place in early November, ahead of the December deadline for countries to confirm their participation in the contest.

In response, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan expressed hope that Eurovision would “continue to preserve its cultural and non-political character.” It described the competition as “a symbol of unity, solidarity and fraternity,” warning that Israel’s exclusion “could have far-reaching consequences,” without elaborating further.