Martin Green, the Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, has spoken to NOS about the Eurovision Song Contest and the debates surrounding the contest as its heads into its 70th edition.
As part of an interview with Nieuwsuur on NOS, Martin Green, the Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, has discussed the current state of the competition. In the interview, Mr Green was asked whether he was supportive of a change of rules to stop countries’ wars from being able to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, a change that has been suggested by some member broadcasters. The change would, in theory, ban Israel from competing in the contest as well as Ukraine. Mr Green told NOS that:
“Any proposal that would lead to the exclusion or punishment of Ukraine is out of the question for us.”
Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest remains an active and contentious issue, with public broadcasters in Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain withdrawing this year in protest at Israel being allowed to compete in Vienna. The Director of the Eurovision Song Contest explained that, in contrast to Russia, which was suspended from the EBU following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there “is no consensus” on this matter. He added:
“We can condemn the actions of Governments where we believe they are incorrect. But I believe there is a differentiation when we are talking about artists from places. “
With regard to voting campaigns which have occurred in recent years, such as in 2025 when the Israeli Government sponsored advertising calling on people to vote for Israel, Martin Green was clear that the EBU would take action should it occur again this year. Rules were introduced which “discourage disproportionate promotion campaigns…particularly when undertaken or supported by third parties, including governments or governmental agencies.” Mr Green commented:
“Although we have jurors to balance the voting, we will absolutely not tolerate this type of activity. I think we may not have been strict enough in recent years.”
Eurovision 2026
As announced by the EBU in August, the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna following JJ’s victory for Austria with “Wasted Love” in Basel. 35 countries are set to take part. Both semi-finals are scheduled for May 12 and 14, while the Grand Final will take place on May 16. The contest will be hosted in the Wiener Stadthalle, the same venue used in 2015, which can accommodate up to 16,000 spectators.
The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna on May 12, 14, and 16, 2026.
Source: NOS
