Eurovision has unofficially proposed that Israel either withdraw from the 2026 competition or compete under a neutral flag, following boycott announcements from the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia. The proposal, shared by sources associated with the song contest, aims to spare Israel from a potential "humiliating disqualification" driven by political pressure, according to [@ranboker](https://twitter.com/ranboker). Discussions on the dilemma are set to conclude in December. The rationale behind the proposal, as explained by [@ranboker](https://twitter.com/ranboker), is to prevent a "humiliating disqualification" stemming from mounting political pressure from several European nations. However, a temporary withdrawal is considered by some in Jerusalem as a potential precedent for permanent exclusion, while competing under a neutral flag is viewed as even more humiliating. Eurovision holds significant cultural importance for many Israelis, representing a forum for international acceptance and praise, as evidenced by strong performances from Israeli artists like Yuval Raphael, Eden Golan, and Noa Kirel in recent years. The potential loss of this platform could be deeply impactful. In a separate development, rare archaeological artifacts, including mosaics and pottery of the Christian community in the Gaza Strip, were transferred to a safe location in recent days. This transfer was coordinated with COGAT's Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) for Gaza and an international organization, facilitating the movement of residents and international organizations to southern Gaza for their protection. On September 15th, 2025, Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, questioned Israel's negotiation intentions with Hamas, stating, "If Israel wants to assassinate the political leadership of Hamas, then why do it negotiate it?" This statement was shared by AJABreaking on X. Earlier on September 15th, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that Israel is entering a phase of economic "insulation" and adaptation, as reported by [@ISRAELFISER](https://twitter.com/ISRAELFISER) on X. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also reported the destruction of the Ghafir Tower in Gaza City, stating it was used by Hamas for terror infrastructure, following an IDF evacuation warning for specific blocks in Gaza's Al-Remal neighborhood issued around 10:00 AM UTC. Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez Almeida stated on September 15th that there is "no genocide in Gaza." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Qatar on September 16th, 2025, after meetings with Israeli officials, while President Donald Trump reiterated support for Qatar and urged caution in Gaza operations. Additionally, Al Jazeera English reported on September 15th that seven infants died at Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza due to malnutrition and siege conditions.
