Is Israel in Europe? Why is it part of Eurovision

What Eurovision is and who runs it

Eurovision is a Europe-wide song contest, watched by well over 100 million people, that has run since 1956. It was originally conceived as a way to foster peaceful cooperation among nations after World War II. The contest is organised by the EBU, the European Broadcasting Union, which is an alliance of public broadcasters, the kind of state-funded television and radio stations you find in most countries.

The critical thing is this: the EBU is not the same as Europe. Eurovision is organized by the EBU, an alliance of public service broadcasters primarily based in Europe, but EBU membership is not restricted solely to countries within the geographical boundaries of Europe. The door is open to any broadcaster that qualifies for membership.

Why Israel specifically is in

All 56 member countries of the EBU are eligible to compete in Eurovision, and Israel has been a member of the EBU since 1957. That is the whole answer to the eligibility question. Eligibility hinges on whether a country's national broadcaster holds active membership in the EBU. Maps do not come into it.

Israel was the first non-European country to participate in Eurovision, doing so in 1973, and also hosted the event in Tel Aviv in 2019. Over the decades, Israel has become one of Eurovision's most successful participants, winning four times, in 1978, 1979, 1998, and 2018.

The same logic that lets Israel in also let Australia in. In 2015, the EBU invited the Special Broadcasting Service of Australia to participate in the 60th edition of the contest. Australia is considerably further from Europe than Israel is.

The controversy right now

Israel's continued participation has become a flashpoint because of the war in Gaza. The main issue at a recent EBU General Assembly was Israel's participation, following widespread protests over Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza and allegations that the Israeli government unfairly influenced voting at recent contests. A vote was held and new rules were adopted, with the EBU stating that all EBU members who wish to participate and agree to comply with the new rules are eligible to take part. So as of September 2026, Israel remains eligible.

The short version: "Eurovision" is a brand name that stuck, not a membership requirement. The contest is run by a broadcasting union, and you get in by joining the union, not by moving your country closer to Paris.