Belgium: VRT Unlikely to Compete in Eurovision 2027 Without a Direct Vote on Israel’s Participation

VRT, the Flemish broadcaster in Belgium, has stated that it is unlikely to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 with the EBU holding a direct vote on Israel’s participation in the contest.

Ahead of the final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, VRT stated that it is unlikely they will compete in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, without the European Broadcasting Union allowing a vote to take place on whether Israel should be allowed to continue to compete in the contest. If the vote is not held, Spokesperson for VRT, Yasmine Van der Borght, explained:

“Today, the chances are slim that VRT will send an artist next year. We expect the EBU (the association of European public broadcasters that organses the festival, ed.) to make a clear statement against war and violence and for respect for human rights.

Therefore, we are asking for a clear framework for participation, an open debate, and a direct vote among EBU members. So far, we have received an insufficient response to this. Even during the semi-finals this week, we received no signal that the EBU is hearing our concerns.

Naturally, we want to discuss this with other broadcasters. But if the EBU’s position does not change, the chances are slim that VRT will send an artist next year.”

VRT states that its concerns are not only focused on Israel, but more widely what the rules are that define whether a country is able to compete in the contest. The EBU rules currently state that to be eligible to compete, a broadcaster must hold full membership of the European Broadcasting Union, which can be awarded if the broadcaster is located in the European Broadcasting Area or is a member of the Council of Europe. Van der Brought added that VRT is asking for:

 “an objective framework like other international organizations have: what are the conditions for a country to participate, and what are not conditions? That is currently lacking.”

Belgium’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 was organised by the French language broadcaster RTBF, which alternates organisation of the contest every year with VRT. Essyla competed in the final, placing 21st with a score of 36 points.

Source: VRT

Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest+

Belgium was one of the seven nations who participated in the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. To date, the country has won the contest only once in 1986. Sandra Kim won the contest with the song “J’aime la vie”. Her victory was not without controversy when it emerged that Sandra was just 13 years old, two years younger than the age restriction at the time. In the late 00s, Belgium struggled in the contest, failing to reach the final annually from 2005 until 2010, when Tom Dice finished 6th in the final with 143 points. Belgium has finished last at the contest eight times, including two sets of nul points.