MUSIC-EUROVISION-ISRAEL:Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision; Spain, Ireland and others quit in protest

By Olivia Le Poidevin and Klaus Lauer

GENEVA, - Israel on Thursday was cleared to enter the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, prompting Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia to follow through on their threats to withdraw from the competition over the Gaza war.

After a meeting in Geneva, contest organiser the European Broadcasting Union decided not to call a vote on Israel's participation, and said it had instead passed rules aimed at discouraging governments from influencing the contest.

Right after that announcement, the Dutch, Spanish and Irish broadcasters said they would withdraw from the competition, meaning singers from their countries will not compete in the contest, which

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