Representatives of the national broadcasters behind the Eurovision Song Contest, which draws millions of viewers worldwide, arrived for a meeting on Thursday (December 4) to discuss whether Israel can compete next year, amid threats by some countries to pull out if it is not excluded over the Gaza war.

The meeting at the European Broadcasting Union headquarters in Geneva will address new rules intended to discourage governments and third parties from overly promoting songs to sway voters, following allegations that Israel unfairly boosted its entrant this year.

If members cannot agree, they may hold a vote on Israel's participation.

Portugal's RTP backed the changes, its president Nicolau Santos told Reuters as he arrived for the meeting, saying he expected an "interesting" discussion on Israel.

Some countries, including Spain's broadcaster, have accused Israel of not following the rules for the contest, which stresses its political neutrality, and of using it politically. They added its continued participation would be untenable in light of the war in Gaza.

Israel, which came second this year, has not responded to these accusations, but frequently argues it has faced a global smear campaign.

Critics of Israel's participation cite concerns over the Palestinian death toll in Gaza, which has surpassed 70,000, according to Gaza health authorities. The war was sparked by the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer told Reuters that Germany should not participate in Eurovision if Israel is excluded.

"Israel belongs in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC)," he said. "There must be no ESC without Israel."

A spokesperson for German broadcaster ARD said: "We hope for constructive discussions and solutions within the EBU that are consistent with the values of the EBU and the ESC."

The ARD's boss Katja Wildermuth did not comment as she arrived at the meeting in Geneva.

Austrian host broadcaster ORF wants Israel to compete.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (DECEMBER 4, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. COACH ARRIVING AT EUROPEAN BROADCASTING UNION (EBU) HEADQUARTERS CARRYING DELEGATES FOR MEETING

2. DELEGATES GETTING OFF BUS INCLUDING DIRECTOR GENERAL OF AUSTRIAN BROADCASTER ORF, ROLAND WEISSMANN, WHO IS ORGANISING 2026 CONTEST (CARRYING BLUE BACKPACK)

3. DELEGATES GETTING OFF BUS

4. DELEGATES GOING THROUGH SECURITY

5. SIGN OUTSIDE

6. DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF GERMAN MEMBER BR/ARD, KATJA WILDERMUTH, ARRIVING AT HEADQUARTERS

7. WILDERMUTH GOING INSIDE

8. PORTUGUESE BROADCASTER RTP PRESIDENT, NICOLAU SANTOS, ARRIVING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PORTUGUESE BROADCASTER RTP PRESIDENT, NICOLAU SANTOS, SAYING:

"Yes, we will have a very, I suppose, interesting discussion (on Israel's participation). So we have to wait for the end of the meeting."

10. SANTOS TALKING TO JOURNALIST

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PORTUGUESE BROADCASTER RTP PRESIDENT, NICOLAU SANTOS, SAYING:

"There is one question about the new rules of the votation system. So we will vote about this. And about this, our position is 'yes', because we think the other rules will be possible to manipulate the votation. So this is increasing, and I suppose it's better for all of us, for the Eurovision, for the ESC (Eurovision Song Contest), but let's see, let's see what will happen."

12. SANTOS GOING INSIDE