[Today's Prayer] Israel Faces Simultaneous Expulsion from Eurovision and UEFA

Israel is facing the risk of being expelled simultaneously from the European national music contest Eurovision and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).

According to AP and Reuters, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, will decide Israel’s participation in the next contest through a vote by its member organizations.

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Since the start of the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023, the question of Israel's participation in Eurovision has been a constant source of controversy.

In last May’s contest, Israel’s representative Eden Golan attempted to enter with a song reminiscent of Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, but due to criticism that it violated political neutrality, the title and lyrics were changed.

UEFA is also expected to vote next week on whether to suspend the Israeli national team from international competitions.

The AP, citing two sources, reported that a majority of UEFA's 20-member executive committee support Israel's suspension.

Earlier, on the 23rd, UN human rights experts demanded that UEFA suspend Israel’s eligibility, claiming that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

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However, it is uncertain whether FIFA will support Europe's hard-line approach. The United States, host of next year's World Cup, supports Israel, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino is close to US President Donald Trump. Cooperation from the U.S. government, such as visa issuance, is essential for FIFA to conduct next year’s World Cup smoothly.

A US State Department spokesperson told Sky News, "We will work to prevent any attempt to exclude Israel from next year's World Cup."

Regardless of these moves, it remains unclear whether Israel will be able to qualify for the World Cup finals on its own. Israel currently sits third in Group I of the European qualifying tournament, behind Norway and Italy. The top team in each of the 12 groups qualifies directly for the finals, while the second-place team plays in a playoff. Israel has played one game fewer than second-place Italy.

Source: Yonhap News

For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. (Ezekiel 30:3)

Israel is facing expulsion from Eurovision and UEFA, and we hear that a majority of the 20 members of the UEFA Executive Committee support suspending the Israeli national team from international competitions.

Amid Israel’s long-standing conflict with Hamas, and amid European nations seeking to isolate Israel internationally under the guise of anti-Semitism, grant that both Israel and Palestine may seek what is from heaven, not only earthly gain.

May Israel come to realize that many civilians, including soldiers, have died because they did not cease their war solely for national interest. May Israel and Palestine become people who fear and revere the Lord.

Furthermore, as European countries attempt to boycott Israel on the international stage under the pretext of anti-Semitism, let European churches wait upon God’s timing before His Word and instead bear witness to the Gospel.

For this purpose, may the global Church trust that God knows and judges Israel’s heart in all circumstances, and pray that Israel may serve the Lord alone as His people. Through the prayers of the global Church, may Israel experience restoration and revival, becoming a nation prepared for the return of Jesus Christ.

Let the global Church witness God’s providence over Israel and all nations, and as the day approaches—the day of the LORD—may Israel become a people that takes up the final revival from the Lord. May Israel fear God alone until the day God’s Word is realized and fulfilled!