EUROVISION BANS HOSTS IN ARMED CONFLICT AFTER ISRAEL ROW

The European Broadcasting Union has updated Eurovision Song Contest regulations for 2027, stipulating that any winning broadcaster will be ineligible to host the event if their country is involved in an "armed conflict" or "sensitive geopolitical situation". The rule change follows demands from several countries—Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands—that threatened boycotts of the 2026 contest in Vienna and called for Israel's exclusion from competition due to the war in Gaza. Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green stated that the revised rules result from member feedback and aim to provide greater clarity, protect artists, and ensure a fair and safe environment for all participants.

Bulgaria will host the 2027 competition after singer Dara won the contest in Vienna in May. Israel came close to gaining hosting rights after finishing as runner-up in the previous two contests. The new regulation addresses long-standing complexities surrounding conflict-affected nations; Ukraine won the competition in 2022 shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion but was unable to host the following year's event.

The rule modification represents the first formal measure taken by the EBU to address hosting eligibility in relation to military conflict or geopolitical circumstances. The regulation now establishes a framework that could prevent future host nations from being selected if their country meets the stated criteria. The 2026 Vienna contest will proceed under current regulations, with the new rules taking effect for the 2027 edition onwards.