Road to Liverpool: Malta

📷EBU/Corinne Cumming The EBU warning to Israel concerns broadcaster KAN and its promotion of “Michelle” by Noam Bettan. The song is Israel’s Eurovision 2026 entry. The warning followed promotional videos in which viewers were urged to use all ten votes for Israel. Eurovision director Martin Green said the EBU contacted the delegation soon after the videos appeared. The campaign was then removed from the relevant platforms. According to the EBU, such a direct voting appeal does not fit the contest rules. It also goes against the spirit of fair competition. KAN said the campaign was the artist’s own initiative. The broadcaster also denied that illegal funding was involved. Rule changes after Israel debate The EBU warning to Israel is notable because it comes in the first year under stricter Eurovision rules. These changes followed the debate after Eurovision 2025. That year, Israel’s Yuval Raphael finished second overall and won the public vote. Several broadcasters and commentators then raised questions about promotion, voting transparency and organised support. As a result, the EBU changed parts of the voting system. The maximum number of votes per payment method was reduced from 20 to 10. Professional juries also returned to the semi-finals. In addition, the EBU tightened its rules on disproportionate promotion. This is especially relevant when governments or third parties are involved. Israel’s Eurovision entries have also faced repeated scrutiny over lyrics. In 2024, Eden Golan’s original song “October Rain” was rejected by the EBU. The lyrics were seen as too political for the contest. A second version, “Dance Forever”, was also not accepted in its first form. Israel eventually competed with the revised song “Hurricane”. This year, Israel’s 2026 entry was approved only after extra checks and reported minor changes. Taken together, the warning, the rule changes and the lyric interventions show a clear pattern. Israel remains part of Eurovision, and KAN denies deliberate rule-breaking. Still, Israel again seems to test how far the rules go. Time after time, the country appears to search for the edges of what is allowed.