The organizers behind the Eurovision Song Contest have decided to postpone a previously planned vote on whether or not Israel would be included in the 2026 competition, due to the state’s extreme military assault on Gaza following a 2023 attack by Hamas that led to the abduction of more than 250 Israelis.

NME reports that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has issued a statement stating that “recent developments in the Middle East” have led to the cancellation of a virtual meeting, scheduled for November, where a vote on the matter was to take place. Instead, Israel’s participation will now be discussed during an in-person meeting in December. It is, however, unclear if there will still be a vote.

The announcement comes after a ceasefire was called last week, and this week Hamas freed

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