Proposal for a radiation safety directive for workers is being sought by the Commission, addressing risks associated with ionizing radiation exposure.
In a press conference held on July 23, 2025, at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna, several key figures discussed the ongoing debate regarding Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2026. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organiser of the ESC and responsible for the admission of countries, is expected to make a decision about Israel's participation in December. Austria, as the host country, supports Israel's continued involvement, as expressed by ORF General Director Roland Weißmann. Several European states have not yet made a final decision on Israel's participation. These include Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland. Countries like Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia are free to make their own decisions regarding Israel's participation, with decisions expected around the EBU general assembly in December 2025. Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland have already indicated they might not participate if Israel remains, but the final collective decision by the EBU is pending. Iceland and Belgium view Israel's potential admission critically but have not yet made a final decision. The press conference followed a meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna. State Secretary Alexander Proell, who sees the issue similarly, will attend the Munich Philharmonic's concert with conductor Lahav Shani. NEOS State Secretary Josef Schellhorn opposes cultural boycotts, stating they are 'stupid and pointless.' NEOS politician Beate Meinl-Reisinger, as Foreign Minister, will send a letter to European counterparts advising against cultural boycotts, in coordination with coalition partners ÖVP and SPÖ. Proell states that antisemitism has no place in Europe and that art lives through dialogue, openness, and diversity. The issue of cultural figures being subjected to an 'ideological test' was also addressed. NEOS State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn believes the exclusion of Israeli conductor Lahav Shani from a festival is wrong. It is unacceptable, he asserted, to subject cultural figures to such tests, including Russian figures like Anna Netrebko or Teodor Currentzis. The APA - Austria Presse Agentur eG, the largest national news and press agency in Austria, reported on the press conference. The APA is based in Vienna and is owned by Austrian daily newspapers and the ORF. The final showdown regarding Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is expected in December at the EBU's general assembly. Golan Jochpaz, director of the responsible broadcaster Kan, has stated that Israel itself supports its continued participation in the contest.
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