Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker stands firm against anti-Israel pressure, defending Israel’s right to compete in Eurovision 2026 as Vienna prepares to host.
Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker has drawn a bold line in defense of Israel, rejecting mounting European calls to ban the Jewish state from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Speaking on Austria’s National Day, Stocker declared in an interview with Germany’s dpa news agency:
“I would consider it a fatal mistake to exclude Israel. Based on our history alone, I would never be in favor of that.”
His statement — referencing Austria’s shared historical responsibility for the Holocaust — carried deep moral weight. At a time when some European broadcasters are threatening boycotts, Stocker’s message was clear: Austria will not repeat the silence or complicity of the past.
The controversy erupted after a wave of anti-Israel activism swept across Europe in the wake of the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent defensive campaign in Gaza. Broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland, Belgium, and Finland have demanded Israel’s exclusion — a move critics say reeks of political hypocrisy, not cultural fairness.
Ironically, Israel’s 2025 entry, “New Day Will Rise” by Yuval Raphael, became a symbol of resilience, winning the hearts of the public across Europe. While juries awarded Israel just 60 points, a stunning 297 points came from public votes, proving that ordinary Europeans still stand with Israel — even when elites try to silence her voice.
Yet, following Israel’s strong finish behind Austrian winner JJ, several broadcasters sought audits of voting results — echoing the same selective outrage that often shadows Israel in international arenas. Though JJ initially called for Israel’s suspension from Eurovision, he later retracted the remark under public backlash.
Now, as Vienna readies to host Eurovision 2026, Stocker’s stance sends an unmistakable message: Austria will uphold free expression, fairness, and moral clarity — not yield to anti-Israel hysteria.
A final vote on Israel’s participation is expected in December, but the tide of public support and Stocker’s principled leadership suggest one outcome — Israel will sing in Vienna.
