It Seems: Israel Has a Problem at the Upcoming Eurovision – and It's Not What You Think

Israel may face a problem at Eurovision 2027, but not due to antisemitism. According to sources, the contest is expected to be held in Bulgaria, and the announcement of the host city and dates will be published tomorrow. If the semifinals take place on May 11 and 13 and the final on May 15, Memorial Day will fall on May 11, which would require Israel to request to participate in the second semifinal, as has happened in the past.

Israel may face a problem at Eurovision 2027, but not due to antisemitism or hostility, but rather due to the date of Memorial Day. According to well-informed sources, the European Broadcasting Union is considering two alternatives for the month of May: one, with semifinals on May 11 and 13 and the final on May 15; the second, in the following week, with semifinals on May 18 and 20 and the final on May 22. There seems to be a preference for the earlier week. If so, Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism will fall on May 11, 2027, which would require the corporation to request to participate in the second semifinal. It is likely that the union will approve, as happened at Eurovision 2011 in Düsseldorf with Dana International, and at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, when KAN requested it due to Holocaust Remembrance Day. The announcement of the host city and dates is expected tomorrow. According to the betting site Polymarket, bets on the selection of Burgas stand at 73% compared to 28% for Sofia.