Israel has been cleared to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following a secret ballot vote among contest officials. The decision comes after months of heated debate over Israel's involvement due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and mounting public pressure from several European broadcasters. The meeting was marked by a tense atmosphere, with Germany voicing strong support for Israel, while Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, and Turkey opposed its participation. Britain emphasized keeping the contest apolitical, and Ukraine defended Israel's inclusion, rejecting comparisons to Russia's previous expulsion from the event.