Israel in European contests

[Dom Tuk]

How does Israel qualify for the Euro vision contest??. Why do they participate in the European qualifications for the FIFA world cup??. Other than the safety angle in conducting the football qualifications (in the middle east) is there any other valid reason.

[Xollob]

Israel's state television is a member of the European Broadcasting Union, and as such is entitled to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest.

[THECORBYLOON]

The reason is a result of the refusal of many Arab countries to recognise Israel as a State and the occupation of East Jerusalem & various other areas claimed by Israel. Israel competes in Europe because they'd not be accepted in the Middle East Region.

[littleoldme]

Morocco and Lebanon have also entered the ESC in past years (albeit far less often), for the same reasons as Xollob gives. On similar lines, when it comes to football, Israel is a member of UEFA and as such takes part in the European Championships and the European qualification stage for the World Cup.

In short, it's to do with organisation affiliation, rather than geography.