Eurovision organizers are implementing changes to the voting system and security measures following allegations of Israeli government interference in the contest. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) stated that these updates are designed to enhance trust, transparency, and audience engagement.
These changes come amidst calls for Israel's exclusion from the competition due to the conduct of the Israeli government in the conflict in Gaza. In September, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS expressed it could no longer justify Israel's participation, citing the Gaza war and alleging "proven interference by the Israeli government" in the previous contest, which they claimed was used as a political tool.
To address these concerns, for the upcoming contest, the number of votes allowed per payment method will be halved to 10. Additionally, professional juries will be reinstated in the semifinals, creating a roughly 50-50 balance between public and jury votes.
Enhanced security protocols will be introduced to detect and prevent fraudulent or coordinated voting patterns. The EBU emphasized the paramount importance of the competition's neutrality and integrity, stating it should remain a political space.
A decision on Israel's participation in the next Eurovision will be considered by the EBU's general assembly in December, with a vote to occur only if the new measures are deemed insufficient.
