By Olivia Le Poidevin and Francois Murphy

GENEVA/VIENNA (Reuters) -Eurovision Song Contest organisers will no longer meet online in November to vote on Israel’s participation in the competition, following Middle East “developments”, the European Broadcasting Union said on Monday in an apparent reference to the Gaza ceasefire.

Austria had appealed to countries not to boycott next year’s contest – due to be held in Vienna – over Israel’s participation and concerns about the two-year-old Gaza conflict.

Eurovision, which stresses its political neutrality, has faced controversy this year linked to the war, and several countries had pledged to withdraw from the event if Israel took part.

Austrian national broadcaster, ORF, which will host the 2026 contest, told Reuters it welcomed the EBU’s

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