Flemish Parties Call for Ban on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision
The Flemish governing parties CD&V and Vooruit are advocating for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest, urging Flanders to adopt a definitive stance. The French-language broadcaster RTBF, responsible for Belgium’s entry this year, plans to postpone its decision on participation until December, reports 24brussels.
On Friday, the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced it will not participate in the contest as long as Israel remains accepted by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Ireland has expressed a similar position.
CD&V is now calling for Belgian broadcasters VRT and RTBF, along with all other public broadcasters in Europe, to convey a clear message that Israel should not participate. Flemish MP Gilles Bultinck of the Christian Democrats stated, “When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, it was decided to ban Russia, which was undoubtedly the right decision. The same consistent line must be applied to all countries that wilfully commit large-scale violations of international law and human rights. Israel therefore no longer has a place in the Eurovision Song Contest.”
Katia Segers of the socialist party Vooruit supports this perspective, asserting, “As a member of the EBU, the VRT must insist that Israel not be allowed to participate, together with the RTBF and the other members of the EBU. The reason the EBU has not done so itself until now is because Israel is one of the major sponsors of the Song Contest.”
The RTBF confirmed it will await the EBU’s upcoming meeting in December before making a final decision. Spokesperson Axelle Pollet remarked, “The RTBF is continuing to make preparations for the next edition and is working on the selection of candidates. This is a long-term project and not something that can be improvised. Whether or not we will participate in the 2026 edition will be decided after the EBU’s general meeting in December.”
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