The Swedish broadcaster, SVT, has stated that it does not intend to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel competes, but has set conditions for its continued participation.
In an email to SVT Nyheter, SVT CEO Anne Lagercrantz, has spoken out about the demands for a Swedish withdrawal from Eurovision due to Israeli participation. Lagercrantz states that the broadcaster has no intention of withdrawing from the contest if Israel competes, but has set conditions for the contest:
“Many people want to know where SVT stands. SVT is independent – that is one of our cornerstones. We do not take a political position. It is we and no one else who make decisions about our participation in Eurovision and the choices we make are not interpreted as a position for or against any other country’s public service broadcaster or for or against any other country’s participation.
We understand that many people want an immediate answer to what SVT will do and there are many opinions about what is the right path. SVT’s participation is conditional on the basic conditions being in place. We will therefore spend time listening to the EBU and other members. It is to show respect for both a difficult issue and a beautiful idea of a cultural arena that wants to unite people through music.”
Lagercrantz highlights three conditions for Swedish participation. These include the need for a broad European consensus on the contest, that the safety of participants and fans can be guaranteed, as well as a contest that is apolitical in accordance with EBU rules.
To date, four broadcasters have stated they will withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna over Israel’s participation. RTVSLO (Slovenia), RTÉ (Ireland), AVROTROS (Netherlands) and RTVE (Spain) have all stated that they would not compete if Israel takes part in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, while RÚV (Iceland) has stated it may withdraw.
A vote on Israeli broadcaster KAN’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in November, as confirmed by the President of the EBU, Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, in a letter to all member states.
Sweden will choose its representative for Eurovision 2026 through Melodifestivalen 2026, which commences on January 31, with the final being held on March 7 at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm. A record number of 3,888 songs were submitted for the upcoming edition.
KAJ represented Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with “Bara Bada Bastu”. They finished 4th in the final with 321 points.
Image source: Alma Bengtsson/ EBU | Source: SVT Nyheter
Sweden debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 and has gone on to be one of the contest’s most successful countries. The country has won the contest 7 times – tying with Ireland, the most recent being in 2023. Abba´s win in Brighton 1974 with the song “Waterloo” marked Sweden’s first victory. Since missing out on the final in 2010 the country has gone on to finish 3rd twice and has won the contest three times. Only in 2013 and 2021 did the country place outside of the top 10 in the final.
