(MENAFN) The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is preparing to review Israel’s eligibility for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest amid growing calls for a boycott and intensifying debate over the country’s role in the competition.

The matter is expected to come up during the EBU’s General Assembly on Dec. 4–5, where members will also examine recently introduced adjustments to the competition’s voting procedures.

These revisions were introduced to boost transparency after accusations surfaced that the Israeli government attempted to influence last year’s contest, according to reports.

A spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest, Dave Goodman, said Wednesday that members will first evaluate whether the new rules sufficiently resolve these concerns before deciding if a formal vote is required.

“Members will only vote on (Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest) if they believe that the new updates alone are not sufficient,” he said.

The EBU rolled out updated regulations in November intended to restrict aggressive promotional efforts, particularly those driven by state bodies or government-linked groups.

Under the new standards, broadcasters and performers are prohibited from engaging in outside promotional campaigns that could distort voting outcomes. The organization warned that any attempts to manipulate the results will lead to sanctions.

Another significant change reduces the maximum number of votes an individual can cast via each payment method—online, SMS, or phone—from 20 to 10 for the 2026 contest in Vienna.

Additionally, professional juries will once again take part in the semi-finals—something not seen since 2022—bringing back an almost even split between jury input and public votes.

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