France, Dec. 5 -- After a meeting in Geneva Thursday, the European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, decided not to call a vote on Israel's participation, saying it had instead passed new rules aimed at discouraging governments from influencing the contest.

Immediately following the announcement, the Dutch, Spanish, Irish and Slovenian broadcasters said they would withdraw, meaning singers from their countries would not compete in next year's contest, held in Vienna.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said that Israel's participation "is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster".

Both the Israeli government and opposition leaders celebrated the country's inclusion.

Golan Yochpaz, CEO of Israeli broadcaster KAN, l...