Eurovision Tightens 10-Vote Rules as Israel Promotion Triggers Scrutiny

5 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 13

Martin Green said Eurovision is monitoring voting patterns "very, very carefully" after complaints that pro-Israel campaigning may have skewed last year's televote, warning any broadcaster that breaks the rules will face closer scrutiny.
New safeguards already in force cut the maximum online votes to 10 from 20, require credit-card checks to verify voters' country, and restore jury voting in the semi-finals.
The EBU has formally warned Israeli broadcaster Kan after its contestant urged fans to "vote 10 times for Israel" in videos that organisers said were not in the competition's spirit; Green said disqualification remains far off.
Israel still reached Saturday's grand final from Tuesday's Vienna semi-final, while detailed semi-final voting figures will be withheld until after the main contest.
The dispute follows 2025 results in which Israel got 83% of its points from the public vote versus winner Austria's 41%, and comes as five broadcasters, including Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland, are boycotting 2026.

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