New Eurovision rule: Countries in armed conflict cannot host the contest

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has introduced new rules for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), stipulating that a country winning the competition cannot host if it is involved in an "armed conflict" or faces a "sensitive geopolitical situation." This significant policy shift, detailed on the EBU's website, amends the long-standing tradition that the winning nation always hosts the following year's event.

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A country that wins the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), but is involved in an 'armed conflict' or faces a 'sensitive geopolitical situation', may not organize the event the following year.

Further exceptions to hosting eligibility include countries that have "attempted to unfairly influence" the ESC's results or have undermined the contest's "non-political character." These updated regulations seem to be a direct response to the controversies surrounding Israel's participation in recent years. Notably, Israel's ongoing "devastating war in Gaza," which has resulted in a high number of Palestinian casualties, falls under the definition of an "armed conflict."

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attempted to unfairly influence

Additionally, the EBU mandated changes to the lyrics of Israel's 2024 entry, "October Rain," which was deemed "too political" due to its apparent references to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The song's title was subsequently altered to "Hurricane." The EBU also adjusted voting rules following criticism that Israel was attempting to garner votes through government-sponsored advertisements and appeals from Israeli ambassadors, stating that "disproportionate promotional campaigns" would be "discouraged," particularly those undertaken by "third parties including governments."

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non-political character

While the EBU's statement on the rule changes does not explicitly name Israel, it references "feedback from participating broadcasters." Several countries, including Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, Spain, and the Netherlands, withdrew from the competition last year due to Israel's participation. Israel had placed second in the previous two contests, nearly earning the right to host. Although no specific rules existed then, a country at war has hosted Eurovision before: Ukraine won in 2022, but the EBU deemed it unsafe to host there, leading the United Kingdom to co-host with Ukraine. EBU President Martin Green emphasized the importance of clearer rules for maintaining the contest's fairness, transparency, and consistency for all participants.

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too political